HORSE and pony entries at this year's Great Yorkshire Show are to be the highest in five years.

The increase in numbers has come across the board, with particularly strong support in the hunter classes, and in the mixed mountain and moorland sections.

Show director Christopher Hall said: "I am delighted the show retains the strong support of our horse and pony exhibitors. We have one of the best rings in the country, and, as ever, will have some of the finest animals for the judges to consider.

"It is also pleasing to see that the re-introduction of the Horse of the Year qualifying classes has had a beneficial effect."

The giant TV screen at the show, one of the big success stories of last year's event, is to be even bigger this year.

The 27sq metre screen, which shows action replays, close-up shots and one-to-one interviews, is to be expanded to a whopping 30 square metres.

Mr Hall said: "We were the first agricultural show in the country to introduce a screen and camera crew and it was a tremendous success.

"It certainly made it easier for everyone to see what was happening and was very well received," said Mr Hall

Other highlights of this year's event will be the international show jumping, the JCB Dancing Diggers, marching bands and the AIUA cattle parade.

The show, which runs from Tuesday, July 11 to Thursday, July 13 at the Great Yorkshire Showground at Harrogate, is expected to pull in around 120,000 visitors.

For tickets and information contact 01423 541000.