NORTHUMBERLAND County Show will return next month with, as always, an action packed line-up of events.

The highly anticipated livestock classes will showcase the best of Northumberland agriculture, with sections which include cattle, sheep, horses, dogs, pigs and goats all competing against one another for the coveted champion of champions title, awarded to the winner of the grand parade of livestock – the thrilling finale for the day.

Champion of champions judge this year will be Robert Neill, of Upper Nisbet Farm, near Jedburgh.

This year, a new class has been added for Kune Kune pigs in the pig display, which is back by popular demand after being a highlight of the show for visitors last year.

Canines will be battling it out for the title of top dog not only in the traditional dog show, but also in the fun dog show this year, categories of which include: best trick, best rescue dog, best junior handler, and last but certainly not least, golden oldie (for those veteran dogs over nine years old).

Traditional fox hounds and beagles will also be making an appearance in the main arena, so visitors can come along to receive a warm tail-wagging welcome from these friendly pups, and members of the public are invited to test out their dog’s gun scurrying skills in this year’s gun dog scurry.

Working horses will be showing off both their beauty and their strength in the heavy horse section taking place in the main arena, whilst bird of prey trainer Joe will be bringing along his feathered friends, including barn owls and kestrels, as visitors watch them take to the sky.

The thrilling inter-hunt relay and Bike 360 performance promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, as daring expert riders take on seemingly impossible stunts on their bikes and quad bikes.

Other crowd drawers of the day will include the tug of war competition, and the always popular Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, which along with putting on a show will invite visitors of all ages to take to the ring themselves, under expert supervision.

Along with agriculture and family fun, food is at the heart of the Northumberland County Show, and this year’s street food market will be packed with vendors providing the best in local produce, along with flavours from all around the world. In contrast, the Taste of the North marquee will be offering some of the best local produce which the region has to offer.

The show will take place on Monday, May 27 at Bywell. Visit www.northcountyshow.co.uk for full event details.