AS preparations gather pace for this month’s North Yorkshire County Agricultural Show, organisers say it has already attracted record entries.

The agricultural show, due to take place in the grounds of Otterington Hall near Northallerton on June 21, is one of the first of the season.

Show secretary Alan Andrews said despite the fact the show date clashed with the Highland Show, they had still received higher than usual entries in many sections, including cattle and sheep classes.

Last year a record 480 sheep were shown in the show, but this year 560 have already been registered. Entries have also exceeded the 140 cattle shown in last year’s classes.

Other attractions at this year’s event includes a classic car display - including vintage caravans - as well as trade and retail stalls, children’s rides, a dog show where people can enter pets on the day and classes for poultry, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs.

Mr Andrews said the show would also be spending at least three times more on the main ring entertainments this year than in the last couple of years, as the event was now back on track financially after having to cancel several years ago.

In 2012, show organisers were devastated when exceptionally wet weather meant they had to call off the show on the day.

It was the first of many rural shows across the region to be cancelled that year when wet weather left grassy show grounds and car parks treacherous.

The show made a point of “upholding its honour” by refunding every penny paid to it, down to the last couple of pounds people had paid to enter cakes and jams in produce and craft classes.

It took five weeks to refund everyone and cost more than £40,000.

Mr Andrews said: “We’re spending an awful lot more money on the main ring this year. Because of the cancellation of 2012 we’ve been restricting the amount we could spend in the main ring.”

Acts will include trial bike stunts by professional group Inch Perfect Trials, the Stampede Stunt Company, who will be putting on two displays each. There will also be heavy horse carriage driving, alpaca demonstrations, a grand parade, show jumping and a Bedale Hounds demonstration.

Admission on the day is adults £8 and £6 for children and concessions.

Advance tickets can be bought for £6 online at northyorkshireshow.co.uk and from Northallerton and Thirsk Tourist Information and Bedale Pets store.

A free bus service will make two trips a day to ferry passengers from outside the Buck Inn on Northallerton High Street and from the centre of Thirsk.