THIS year's Royal Show has been a huge success for the Ryedale farmers who travelled to compete in one of the most prestigious events in the country.

Amongst the winners from our region were several champions and supreme champions, who have spent months preparing for the show.

Kirby Misperton farmer Nick Hargrave stormed to success with his Saddleback pig Wildgrove Rosette the 15th - crowned British Saddleback supreme champion.

A delighted Nick said: "This was the one to win, as far as we're concerned. I've put 1000pc effort into it.

"In the last three years I've judged once and won twice. Her mum won two years ago, she was an absolutely legendary sow."

In the sheep section, Steven Dodsworth from Harome had a double whammy when his Jacob ram won best animal of opposite sex to champion, then went on to be reserve champion in the hill breeds section.

Steven explained, "The sheep was male champion at the Yorkshire Show last year, and second in his class at the Royal last year. We've been going to the Royal 15 years and we've won five - we've done well over the years."

Peter and Anne Lang from Hawnby made it a trio of champions after they won the Marks & Spencer Beefbreeder championship with the aptly named Ryedale Pacemaker. The couple's Limousin cattle won the cup for most points in their class.

Sue Hide of Huttons Ambo, wife of former top jockey Edward, won the Dartmoor 3-year-old pony class with Shilstone Rocks Atlantic Swell. The pony was also reserve champion filly and champion UK-bred youngster.