CATTLE, sheep and goats all competed at an agricultural show at the weekend despite not being allowed into the event because of the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Organisers of Wolsingham Show, in County Durham, included virtual classes for the first time in the event's 228-year history.

Exhibitors sent in pictures of their animals, which were displayed at the show and judged.

Elsewhere, the classes were strong, with thousands of people attending the event, held on Saturday and yesterday in Scotch Isle Park.

Show secretary Gordon Dobson said: "It has been a complete sellout, which is fantastic. We have completely sold out of catalogues and race cards, and I would expect we could have about 25,000 people through the gates,

"All of the industrial tents and the fur and feather tents are fit to bust, and it is the same in the industrial tent.

"When the foot-and-mouth outbreak happened, we did think we might not be able to stage the show this year, so to have these numbers is fantastic."

For the first time, the horse competition featured a pony games competition, with children under 17 taking part in events such as a fancy dress competition, an egg and spoon race and an obstacle course.

Horse secretary Sarah Harrison said: "We have had a good turnout for the games and although there are no official winners, everybody who took part should be really proud, because they have done well.

"It is so nice to see local children coming to compete.

"It is the first time we have done it, but we will definitely be including it at next year's show.

"Overall the horses have been very good this year. We have had quite a few local winners on the Saturday, which is usual."

The standards in the industrial section were superb, according to industrial secretary Mary Horne, who singled out the children's entries as being particularly strong.

She said: "There have been some excellent pieces of work on show."