THE traditions and quality of what Lancashire has to offer were on full display at this year’s Royal Lancashire Show.

The prestigious agricultural event, held at Witton Park in Blackburn for the first time, was packed full of livestock displays, dog and duck displays, ferret racing and a sheep shearing and dancing show.

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Daring attendees got the chance to test themselves on an outdoor climbing wall, as well as admire a variety of different farming equipment used by the county’s own countrymen. On Saturday and Sunday, pet owners could enter their own canines into the “fun dog competition”.

The show first took place in 1767 and is believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in the country.

Rachel Billington, 36, from Ribchester, who visited the show with her husband Paul, 38, and children Jacob, two, and Florence seven, said the show had something for everyone.

She said: “It’s great for families because it’s something different and if you’re from a more urban part of Lancashire you might not come in contact with livestock or agricultural equipment on a day to day basis.

“The sheep show was fantastic and my son enjoyed looking at the tractors.”

The event has been dogged by troubles since 2006 after it was cancelled due to wet weather, in 2007 and 2008 and had to sell off trophies dating back hundreds of years to stave off bankruptcy in 2010.

Rory Thomas-Coles, owner of Darwen-based fragrance maker The Thomas-Coles, had a stall in the craft tent.

He said: “It’s great to have somewhere for Lancashire to show off what it can do.

“There was a range of different talents on display here, with food, crafts, shows, it’s amazing.”

Cllr Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for culture, leisure and young people, said: “The show has a very, very long history and there has been a lot of work put in by the committee to get it back out there.

“I genuinely really hope it’s it becomes a permanent fixture in the calender.”