A TRADITIONAL agricultural show has lots of reasons to celebrate this year.

For, as the North Yorkshire County event marks its silver jubilee, the show on June 22 also sees the welcome return of cattle and sheep to the line-up.

And, in another feature, the show will take place at Otterington Hall, near Northallerton, on a Sunday.

Secretary Alison Dale says this switch of day is aimed at having a wider appeal to all sectors of the public.

The first North Yorkshire County Show was held at Brawith Park at Thornton-le-Street in 1979.

Over the years, the event has moved around a bit, with many of the earlier events being held at Pasture House, home of the Barker family.

The show has been at its present site at South Otterington since 1997.

Attractions will include the Northallerton Silver Band, Shetland pony mini Grand National, classic cars and vintage machinery, sheepdog and farmyard display, show-jumping, horticulture and produce, arts, crafts and children's classes, trade stands and marquees.

Admission costs £5/£3 with under-fives free. There is also free car parking.

Joint presidents for this year are Mr and Mrs Tom Umpleby.

"As this is the 25th show, we have brought in extra attractions to mark the occasion said Mrs Dale.

Super squirrels

A COLONY of red squirrels at the North of England Lead Mining Museum at Killhope in Weardale, featured on BBC1's Britain's Cleverest Animal show on Wednesday.

They tackled an assault course built by local wildlife enthusiast Phil Curtis.

The aim was to see if the squirrels were intelligent enough to find their way to food but viewers watched as they found ways to cheat