POULTRY breeder Barry Smithson had plenty to crow about when he took top local trophy at the 158th annual Holcombe Old English Gamecock Show.

Exhibitors from all over the country, including Plymouth, Durham, Cumbria, Wales, Stoke, Wirral and Oswestry, exhibited 101 birds at the traditional New Year's Day event at the Old Dun Horse Hotel, Ramsbottom.

Barry, of Haslingden, who has exhibited at the show for the last 15 years or more, won the Tom Randle Haworth trophy for best local entry.

Runner up and third place in the class were both taken by Colin Haworth, also of Halingden.

George Meekin, of Astley, kept a firm grip on the Oxford Centenary Challenge Trophy, repeating the success of recent years with WL Walford of Ellesmere and R Kane of Wirral picking up second and third prizes respectively.

The Sam Jackson Memorial Challenge Trophy and best bird in show was won by Mr Walford with D Jones, Llanwrst, second and Ben Greenwood, of Haslingden, third.

The Millie Whittaker Rose Bowl in the stag class was won by M O'Connor of Littleborough. Colin Haworth was runner up with DL Gardiner, of Stoke, in third.

The Harold Haworth trophy for pullet classes was won by D Jones with R Kane second and third.

Picture: Barry, with the gamecock which won the top local prize, and his wife, Val, proudly displaying the trophy