THE best of Pendle’s farming community was celebrated by thousands yesterday at the annual Trawden Show.

Queues formed early as people clammered to see displays of rare breeds, vintage cars and tractors, agricultural equipment and equestrian talent.

Visitors even took to sititing on hay bales to see a muddy fell race, a dog show, a exhibition ride of professional trial bikers, and crafts such as dry stone walling.

Organisers, members of Trawden and District Agricultural Society, said the turnout was “the best for years”, and look forward to the event growing in the future.

Sean Hickey, vice chairman of the event, said: “It’s been brilliant seeing the crowds coming in, there’s been thousands.

“We’ve had a lot more people, stalls and livestock this time, compared to previous years. It’s getting better all the time.

“This event is something for the community - folk will see people they haven’t seen for 12 months - and now we’re bringing in Nelson and Colne areas too, trying to get things back to how it used to be.

“It’s also important for the farming community, to show everyone what’s going on in the industry. A lot of kids don’t know the difference these days between a pig and a boar, and we want Joe Public to come along and find out more.”

The event is one of the highlights of Lancashire’s agricultural calendar and was originally launched in 1925.

It was held on a 20-acre site on and around the village recreation ground.

BBC film crews were at the event, filming it for a series which is to be screened in autumn. featuring country shows around the country.