CRAFTSWOMEN aim to provide their own sheepish creation to help an annual agricultural event take place despite the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Members of the Durham Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers are staging a public demonstration at the weekend, when they plan to use their craft skills to create a substitute sheep.

The challenge was thrown down by organisers of the Masham Sheep Fair, in North Yorkshire, which is taking place without animals due to the lingering problems associated with foot-and-mouth disease.

Guild members have taken up the challenge and plan to make a life-size three-dimensional sheep during a public demonstration at Durham's Botanic Garden, on Saturday and Sunday.

Norma Butcher, chairman of the 35-member guild, said visitors to the Botanic Garden, in Hollingside Lane, off South Road, are welcome to make their contribution.

"It will probably be made with chicken wire and fleece, with all sorts of other bits and pieces. Visitors to the garden will be able to add their ideas to it."

The public demonstration forms part of a month-long display staged by the guild at the Botanic Garden's visitor centre.

The guild meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month, between 10am and 3pm, at Redwood Lodge, in Church Street, Durham.

The display can be seen at the Botanic Garden daily, until August 4. The demonstration is held from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.