THE Yorkshire Agricultural Society enters a new era with the appointment of Adele Hudson as manager of its flagship event - The Great Yorkshire Show. She succeeds David Ward, who retires in March after more than 40 years of working for the society.

Miss Hudson takes up her post following a career within farming and the countryside, particularly in the North of England.

A member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, her career has included estate and farm management, mainly in Yorkshire and the North-East.

She has been a member of the YAS for 15 years and can remember visiting the show as a child, as her father was a trade stand exhibitor. "I can recall sitting in the grandstand watching the main ring events so it's been part of my life for as long as I can remember," she said.

Most recently she has been a steward in the forestry section and has helped at the society's Countryside Day for schools, held each June.

Born and bred in Yorkshire, Miss Hudson was educated at Wakefield Girls' High School and Harrogate Grammar School before reading English at Christ's College, Cambridge.

After qualifying as a chartered surveyor, she was the winner of The Royal Agricultural Society's Gold Medal for Agriculture. Her home is between Ripon and Thirsk.

Commenting on her appointment, chief executive Nigel Pulling said: "Adele has a good knowledge not only of agriculture and rural matters but also of the society and the show. This will help us build on the success of the event, taking it forward as the premier agricultural showcase in the North of England."

This year's 145th Great Yorkshire Show runs from Tuesday, July 8, to Thursday, July 10.

One of the highlights will be displays each day by the dancing diggers from the H E Services JCB stunt team, as well as the fashion shows, flower show, top class show jumping, the all-important animals and hundreds of trade stands.

Tickets cost £13 for adults; over 60s, £10 and children (five-15) £7, with discounts for booking in advance. Parking is free. Further information is available on the web site at www.greatyorkshireshow.org or from the show office on 01423 541000