89 photos as hundreds gather for Great Yorkshire Show

Beefy cattle, huge horses and curly-tailed pigs were among the breeds giving visitors a unique taste of the countryside and farming.

Arguably England’s biggest agricultural show, this is the 164th edition - and it’s more popular than ever. All the tickets for the four-day event have already been sold out.

Exhibitors come from all corners of the country, bringing the very best of Britain’s livestock to compete for the many trophies and cups. But it’s also a celebration of food, machinery and the latest approaches to farming.

Celebrities on day one included Matt Baker and Adam Henson from Countryfile talking to MP’s and meeting the crowds. It’s also a huge shopping opportunity with the chance to buy everything from combined harvesters to cheese and honey.

Show Director Charles Mills said the first day had been a big success, despite driving rain at one point forcing everyone undercover - all except singer Lizzie Jones, a former Inspirational Woman of the Year for her charity work, who was entertaining the crowds in the main ring after bringing out her brolly so she could carry on singing in the rain.

Mr Mills added: “It’s been wonderful, everyone seems very happy. And it’s the people who make it.

"I’ve been talking to exhibitors and the visitors and they love being here. I think people are more interested in what is going on in agriculture and the countryside and they want to see it for themselves.

“It does surprise me, sometimes before the show I worry will it work? but we have a great team, we have more than 500 volunteer stewards and people just want to be here. And we are so thankful for their support.”

For many farmers and agricultural workers, it is their holiday and a chance to meet people they haven’t seen since last year.