HUNDREDS attended Falstone Border Shepherds Show on Saturday morning as the district’s farmers and locals turned out to support the show in its 124th year.

Classes, including sheep, terriers, hounds and sheepdog trials, were fiercely contested as Tynedale’s farmers battled it out for the top prizes.

Despite the rain, an array of arts, crafts, vegetables and cakes were on show in the industrial tent, and the beer tent provided a dry space to socialise and celebrate.

There was plenty to keep children busy too, with egg and spoon and sack races for different age groups.

Show secretary Gloria Armstrong said: “The show was really well attended and all of the exhibits, sheep and dogs were of excellent quality. Despite the weather, it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.”

The champion Hexham Blackface prize was awarded to Kevin Ridley, from Shitlington Hall in Wark.

“It’s only my second show as I’ve just taken the job as shepherd at Carrick,” he said. “She’s the same gimmer that was reserve female champion at the national Blackface championships at Stirling, and will be in line again next week at Bellingham. She wasn’t able to get a starting ticket at the Roman Wall Show, so this is a good consolation.”

Oli Harrison, who got married the weekend before the show, had more reason to celebrate with a win in the Texel tup lamb category.

He said: “They’re the best lambs I’ve ever bred, and I’ve been breeding for about five or six years.”

The damp weather provided perfect conditions for the annual fell race, which was won by James Lurati from Bellingham.

“It’s my first visit to the show. I used to live in the area, but moved away to the Peak District,” he said.

“I do a lot of fell running back home, and we’re on holiday at the moment, so I thought I’d give it a go whilst we’re here.”

The best in show stick award went to Katie Elliot, who, along with husband Robert, came away with 10 first place prizes in the stick categories.