SHEEP face a photo-call if they are to be judged at the 115th Bowes show on September 14.

The show is held on farmland owned by Gilbert Guy of Gilmonby, but the show committee felt the land could not be taken out of production for the 20-day period required by Defra post foot-and-mouth.

They considered the restrictions and regulatory compliance imposed on Mr Guy if the show were to be held on his land to be too restrictive for any working farm, but that decision ruled holding sheep and cattle classes.

Since its inception, Bowes has been known by sheep breeders as the Swaledale "Royal", so in a bid to stage the show without breaking the link with its renowned sheep classes - and also in an attempt to help hill farmers advertise their stock ready the autumn sales - the committee proposes to hold limited classes, with the sheep judged on breeders' premises.

With the help of a photographer, judges will travel to the stock, and their decision will be held securely until the announcement on the showfield. Photographs of the winning entries will then be put on display.

The organisers say that, unfortunately, the Swaledale Breeders' Association was reluctant to go ahead with the idea, but the Teesdale branch of the North of England Mule Breeders' Association has agreed to support three classes. These will be restricted to Teesdale NEMSA branch members and will be for one Mule gimmer, two Mule gimmer lambs and five Mule gimmer lambs, with entries due in by Sunday.