BUBBLES the pygmy goat won the praise of the judges - and the hearts of scores of children - at an agricultural show at the weekend.

The tiny goat picked up the championship trophy at Eggleston Show, in Upper Teesdale, to add to the string of successes it has achieved at Northern shows this year.

Later this month, Bubbles will be hoping to repeat the victory it achieved last year at the Nidderdale Show, near Pateley Bridge.

Her owners, Pauline and Eddie Kell, who have a smallholding at Meadowfield, near Durham, have a herd of ten pygmies - the breed originates from Africa - and 20 Anglo-Nubians, or desert goats.

Pauline said she fell in love with the tiny animals when she was 19 and she and Eddie were courting, but it was not until they both retired that they had the time and cash to start breeding goats.

"They are very popular at shows in the South and they are slowly starting to make their mark here in the North," said Pauline.

"It's a lovely hobby, but they must be kept in pairs as they are extremely loving animals."

Despite heavy overnight rain and the fuel shortage, a strong crowd of spectators and competitors turned up for the 126th annual show.

Success in the floral section for sweet pea grower Frank Walton, from Westgate in Weardale, helped dispel some of the gloom he suffered at Wolsingham show two weeks ago, when his 25-year-old cactus was badly damaged by vandals.

Frank, who has now won firsts at ten shows throughout the region, pronouced his cactus to be "on the mend"