CROWDS braved dark clouds and the threat of drizzle to flock to the 131st Great Harwood Agricultural Show.

The rain held back as visitors viewed the highest quality livestock and pets at the Bank Holiday display, with youngsters enjoying the thrills of the funfair.

Organiser of the sheep section, John Pickard, said the very high standards of entries had made judging difficult.

And the canine critics had a tough time selecting winners from more than 550 entries in the dog show.

Bill Bruce and Leon Kelly, who help organise the Duke of York Poultry Show in Darwen, were feeling a touch shell-shocked after scooping a handful of awards with their winning eggs. Father and son team David and Charles Kay, from Osbaldeston, kept the rosettes in the family, when they won seven prizes in the poultry section.

Charles, 23, said: "I have been keeping hens as a hobby since I was about five or six and am very happy to have won today."

Dad David also won first prize with his Shetland Ponies in all four categories he entered. Numbers in the rabbit classes were slightly down on last year, but organisers said the stock was of exceptional quality, ranging from 2lbs in weight to a bumper bunny of 22lbs.

Laura Howarth, from Whalley, was celebrating in the rabbit tent after collecting the only award for rats with her pet Sox.

Laura, who has owned Sox since August, said: "It's the first time I've entered him in any competition and I'm very pleased with how he's done."

Geoff Hanson, chairman of Great Harwood Agricultural Society, organisers of the show, said: "We've had a very good turn out and we're glad that it's stayed fine."

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