SOME of the country's top livestock will compete in this weekend's Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair in Harrogate.

Entries in the cattle, sheep and new poultry show have exceeded expectations - 163 cattle, 306 sheep and 832 poultry.

The event is run by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

"We had a great show last year, with fantastic support from the farming industry, and this weekend looks set to be even better," said Christopher Hall, show director. "We have strong livestock entries; it is a terrific endorsement to have so many farmers coming from much further afield. We have cattle and sheep competitors travelling from Scotland, the South West, Wales and the Midlands, which is marvellous."

He was also pleased the poultry show was making such a good start.

Cattle judging begins at 10am tomorrow, with the live beef classes, followed by the sheep at 1.30. On Sunday, judging starts with the baby beef at 9.30 and the championships for both cattle and sheep begin at 1pm.

The Countess of Halifax and the president of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Christopher Bourne-Arton, will present the top awards.

John Laking of Louth, Lincolnshire, will judge the live and baby beef sections; Brian MacTaggart, who farms at Castle Douglas, has charge of the live sheep classes and Richard Machin of Brandsby, North Yorkshire, judges the live/dead sheep section. A total of £6,735 in prize money is available across the livestock section.

Both last year's champions will defend their titles. Derek Whinney of Hereford will again compete with his Limousins and, after virtually sweeping the sheep board last year, Thomas Whiteford of Brampton, Cumbria, returns with his Texels X Beltex.

An important element of Countryside Live is the Royal Smithfield Club's National Festival of Meat and the regional heat winners will go on to the national final in December.

YFC members take part in stock judging competitions on both days and will also present their recruitment drive under the title "The YFC, Everyone's Cup of Tea".

The promotion of regional produce is a major feature, with a full programme of cookery demonstrations from top chefs, including Richard Allen of Fourth Floor Restaurant, Harvey Nichols, Leeds.The winners of the Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition in both the professional and amateur categories will demonstrate their winning dishes, and stands around the showground will present the region's finest food and drink.

Yorkshire Forward is the event's main sponsor; Dovecote Park sponsors the livestock classes.

Tickets are £7 at the gate, concessions £6, children £5, and a family ticket (two adults and three children) is £18. Parking is free and extensive.