Plans for agricultural shows across Tynedale have come to a halt, amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

But some of the region’s most popular shows may go ahead in a virtual format, thanks to an online platform.

The district’s agricultural shows now have the opportunity to make use of a virtual pedigree database, known as Cloudlines.

Dedicated farmers Adam Short, from Devon, and Sarah Pumfrett, who divides her time between Scotland and South Wales, plan to provide a virtual placement to traditional county shows, having met through the Old English Goat Society, a breed popular in Northumberland.

The pair have joined forces, with the aim of creating online shows, in a bid to maintain a sense of community for farmers and sellers.

Adam, whose background is in IT, said: “We have been monitoring the ongoing Covid-19 situation for a while now and wanted to use both our agricultural knowledge and technical expertise to create an online version of a traditional county show to make life easier for organisers.”

It comes following the cancellation of a number of popular summer shows, including the Northumberland County Show, which attracts more than 25,000 visitors annually. The County Show normally takes on the last Bank Holiday Monday on May.

It is hoped that the platform will allow owners and keepers to turn out their livestock from home, via video link, and viewers will be able to see whether animals are for sale, hire, or stud, helping those struggling to sell their stock through more traditional channels. Adam said he hoped the platform would be available next week.