COCKS of the north took on prize fowls from across the country at the 159th annual Holcombe Old English Gamecock Show.

Exhibitors from Yorkshire, Cheshire, north and south Wales, Linconshire, County Durham, Cumbria and Shropshire, showed 90 birds at the traditional New Year's Day event, held each year at the Old Dun Horse Hotel, Ramsbottom.

The event is thought to be the oldest gamecock show in the world.

And Colin Haworth from Haslingden had plenty to crow about after scooping the Sam Jackson Memorial Cup in the pullet class.

Barry Smithson, also of Haslingden, took second and third prizes in the same class.

Winner of the Tom Randle Haworth trophy for best bird shown by a local exhibitor was won by Mr J Egan of Heywood.

Show secretary Russell Taylor said: "Unfortunately Mr Egan passed away recently and his birds were shown in his memory by a friend."

Val Smithson, of Haslingden, was runner up in the class.