A POULTRY fancier from the Ribble Valley is set to jet off to Australia in the New Year to join the judging panel in one of the country’s most prestigious shows.

Chris Parker, 66, from Ribchester, will fly down under in April to judge hens in The Royal Sydney Show’s poultry section.

It will be the first time the father-of-two has taken part in the event, which dates back to 1858.

Chris, who was born in Blackburn, joined the Ribble Valley branch of The Poultry Club in 1965, five years after it formed.

He served as the president of The Poultry Club of Great Britain from 2010 to 2012 and has recently helped to organise the Ribble Valley society’s annual show in Clitheroe.

The event at the Sydney Showground will run from April 11 to April 23, with the poultry being judged on the first day.

Chris said: “I’m really excited because I’ve not done anything like this before.

“I’ve been to Australia before to give a few talks and the organisers must have liked what they heard.

“It’s such a big occasion over there and it’s great that I’ve been invited to join the judging panel.

“It’s a huge honour for me and it’s very rare that someone like me would be asked to go along.

“The show will be a fantastic experience and I’m really looking forward to seeing all of the poultry on show.

“There will be a fantastic variety in Sydney that have come from all across the country and there should be around 3,000 birds there on the day.”

Among the birds on display at the show will be Black Spanish Fowls, Cochin Chinas, Dorkings, geeese and turkeys.

Chris said he intended to take a two week holiday in the country after he has finished judging to make the most of his trip.