A GOAT survived against all odds to clinch the championship title at the Great Yorkshire Show for the third year running.

Mr Peter Copeland revealed he and his wife Gillian, from South Church, near Bishop Auckland, were lucky to still have the five-year-old British Saanen.

Known as Tealand Possibility, it was lucky to survive during the severe floods that hit the Copeland's home last month, when a nearby river burst its banks.

Following that narrow escape, the champion was desperately ill after eating potentially-lethal rhododendron leaves.

"Not many survive rhododendron poisoning and it took a lot of hard work to keep her alive," said Mr Copeland.

He and his wife Gillian and son Miles had to hand-feed the goat and her siblings in order to keep them alive. Their hard work paid off.

"It was hard work getting her back and we never thought we'd win here," said Mr Copeland.

He revealed that the Great Yorkshire Show will probably be the champion's last show. She will be given a rest for a year before breeding again.

"It will be nice to have her retire on a high," he added.