Northumberland County Show draws crowds amid tighter security

The show had tightened security following last week's terror attacks in Manchester
The show had tightened security following last week's terror attacks in Manchester

A crowd approaching 20,000 attended the Northumberland County Show which took place amid tightened security following last week's terror attacks in Manchester.

As a result of the raised threat level armed officers were on patrol on the show grounds.

Some of the events on show included monster trucks, birds of prey, tug or war and pig and sheep competitions.

Show chairman James Wardle said crowds were not as high as last year when the show was blessed with excellent weather.

"People are here and everybody seems to be enjoying themselves", Mr Wardle said.

"The monster trucks are a big draw and we’ve got the best of the best in livestock on show too.

"It's been a very high standard, the cattle and sheep especially. We're the first show of the season so it's fresh out of the box for a lot of the stock.

"In many ways we’re on a high as a farming community. We're not sure what Brexit is going to bring but we’ll pull through whatever."

National Farmers' Union deputy president Minette Batters attended the show and said it was a 'wonderful event'.

"Agriculture is, above all, a survivor. We've been through huge challenges and we've got some to come but ultimate this is a time of opportunity.

"It's very much for us as farmers to drive the agenda and to look at farming through a new lens."