Judges at this year's Masham Sheep Fair may be forgiven this year for thinking the entries look a bit lethargic.
But it won't be down to foot and mouth or any other illness - it will be because they aren't real sheep, but dummies.
Organisers have decided that the show must go on despite foot and mouth restrictions, and have invited villagers to make "scarecrow-like" shepherds and sheep.
They will then be put in pens as normal, cash buckets will be placed next to them and the sheep that attracts the most money will be declared the winner.
All money in the buckets will be donated to charities working to help farmers.
Fair organiser Susan Cunliffe-Lister said: "Everyone in the Masham area really looks forward to the sheep fair and there would have been a lot of disappointment if it couldn't have gone on.
"There was no way we could have held it without sheep, so this seemed like the next best thing."
The show will be held on September 29 and 30.
Updated: 11:09 Thursday, May 03, 2001
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