Sunshine, celebrities and champions mark spectacular start to 167th Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate

A record-breaking 150,000 people are expected to attend this year's four-day event, which opened on Tuesday and runs until Friday, celebrating the very best of farming, food, horticulture and rural life.

Among the highlights on the opening day were appearances by television personalities Kelvin and Liz Fletcher, who proved a huge draw for visitors during two packed chat sessions with presenter Christine Talbot on the Ariat GYS Stage.

The couple, well known for ITV's Fletchers on the Farm, also explored the show's Woodcraft section, which has attracted a record 436 entries this year, trying their hand at traditional spoon carving with exhibitor Mike Craig before heading to the sheep rings to present rosettes to prize-winning exhibitors.

The Great Yorkshire Show is hosting two national livestock championships this year, with the Zwartbles National Championship taking centre stage on the opening day.

The coveted title went to a shearling ewe owned by Mrs H Jackson from Dumfries, while Peter and Susanne Addison, from Mickleton in County Durham, claimed the reserve championship with their ewe after also receiving rosettes from the celebrity guests.

Elsewhere across the showground, Harden Clough Nursery, from Bolton-by-Bowland in Lancashire, claimed the prestigious Doncaster Cup for Best in Show in the Garden Show – the first competitive trophy awarded at this year's event.

Ann Rycroft, of Harden Clough Nursery, said: "We came to show the type of garden we can create for everybody.

"It was a fantastic acknowledgement of the work of the whole team.

"To come away with a Gold Medal was brilliant but then to win Best Nursery and Best in Show was amazing."

Visitors to the Garden Show also witnessed the launch of a brand new plant.

Malton-based Wacks Wicked Plants unveiled Sarracenia 'Yorkshire Sunset', a carnivorous plant developed over the past 15 years at its North Yorkshire nursery.

Competition was equally fierce in the Pigeon section, where entries increased by 140 this year, bringing almost 500 birds to the show.

The Supreme Pigeon title was awarded to Sean Morrow, from Durham, with his four-year-old English Long Faced Tumbler hen.

Sean, who keeps around 800 fancy pigeons, described the success as especially memorable, having won the title for only the second time in four decades of exhibiting at the Great Yorkshire Show.

Innovation also featured strongly throughout the opening day.

Bennamann secured the Overall Innovation Award for its technology that upgrades farm-produced biogas into transport-grade biomethane fuel, supporting renewable energy production and greater energy security.

Mike Simpson, Chief Executive at Bennamann, said: "This is a win for renewable energy in the UK and it really supports the UK strategy towards energy security."

Meanwhile, Lely Center Longtown was named Best Agricultural Trade Stand for its robotic farming solutions supporting farms across northern England.

In the equestrian competitions, Robert Walker claimed the Ridden Hunter Championship aboard Full Cry, owned by Ms J Day, while Waterfall, owned by Mrs S Tennant, took the reserve title.

The ever-popular Fashion Show also returned to the showground, with twice-daily catwalk presentations showcasing clothing from eight leading country lifestyle brands.

One of the day's most significant honours recognised Yorkshire farming ambassador Tom Carlisle, better known as The Dales Farmer.

He received the RABI/Yorkshire Agricultural Society Outstanding Contribution Award for helping improve public understanding of modern farming through his educational work and social media presence.

Several long-serving volunteers were also recognised through the Yorkshire Agricultural Society Awards, including official show photographer Kate Mallender, who is celebrating her 34th year documenting the Great Yorkshire Show.

Rachel Coates, Show Director, said: "We have had a tremendous start to the show, with so much for visitors to see and experience.

"We have enjoyed seeing our first winners crowned in classes for everything from pigeons to pigs and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors again tomorrow and for the rest of the week."

The Great Yorkshire Show sells out every year and features around 8,500 animals competing for championship honours across the four-day event.

For more information about the Great Yorkshire Show, visit https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/