HUMAN sheepdog trials will be a new attraction at an agricultural show at a North-East open air museum.

Visitors will be invited to play the roles of sheep and handlers and undertake the trial at The Beamish Show of Agriculture, on the show field near Pockerley Wagonway, at Beamish Museum, near Stanley , County Durham.

The handler, using only traditional sheepdog commands, has to guide the blindfolded partner around the course and bring back the cuddly sheep.

The show running from to,morrow to Sunday, recreates a typical country show from the early 1900s and will feature everything from from goats and geese and Gordon Highlanders to beekeeping, Bedlington terriers and brass bands.

There will also be livestock, vintage tractors, horse logging, horse ploughing demonstrations and a multitude of family activities.

Schools are taking part in horticultural, craft, artwork and scarecrow-making competitions today  and tomorrow.

The Durham Miners Association Band will perform on Saturday, while on Sunday the Aycliffe and Brancepeth Band will appear.


On the nearby events field on Sunday, there will be Dales and Shetland Pony Shows. Competitions in the Industry section are open to everyone.

Cooks, knitters, photographers, winemakers and sewers are invited to enter the show. Full details and entry forms can be found on the Beamish website – www.beamish.org.uk.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily. Admission charges include £17.50 for an adult and £46 for a family of two adults and two children - tickets give a year's daytime entry.