A SHEEP version of the Grand National proved a big hit at the 207th Otley Show.

The first big agricultural event of the calendar took place on Saturday in - mostly - unexpectedly dry conditions.

Although the forecast rain did make an appearance, large stretches of the day were dry and bright, helping ensure that visitors flocked to the Bridge End showfield.

There, they were greeted to all manner of traditional attractions including displays of immaculately turned out cattle, sheep, and horses, ferret races and dog shows.

Some very 21st Century entertainment was also on offer in the shape of Ball'Istic - in which people climb into huge clear plastic balls before being pushed down a steep inflatable at scary speeds.

But the day really belonged to the longer established activities that form the heart of any agricultural show - including a birds of prey display, tug of war contests and a produce and handicrafts marquee that was heaving with impressive displays of fruit, vegetables, jam and more.

Saturday had begun with heavy rain but by 9am that had cleared, giving the show a dry run right up through lunchtime.

Show Secretary Janet Raw, who pulls the whole event together for Wharfedale Agricultural Society, said: "I'm pleased with how it's gone, we've been very busy despite the weather forecast - and I think we were very lucky as a lot of the rainclouds seem to have come by but gone the other way.

"It was fine in the morning and we even got a bit of sun so that brought people out."

Rousing music from the folk marquee and Otley Brass Band - including a rendition of On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at - added to the atmosphere, as did the clank of hammer on anvil from the Yorkshire Farriers tent.

Younger visitors, meanwhile, were spoiled for choice with the attractions including everything from Punch and Judy shows and tag rugby to a mobile educational farm - where they could meet rabbits, sheep and ducks - courtesy of Riggmoor Reindeer & Co.

In the main arena this year's big new attraction was Bob Hogg's The Lamb National, in which a group of Herdwick Sheep race - 'encouraged' by a sheepdog - bombed around a track while leaping fences.

With the sheep decked out in racing jerseys and having Teddy Bear 'jockeys' attached they immediately drew a smile from the crowds.

Their names - including Red Ram, No Ewe Turn and Mint Sauce - also drew a chuckle, and the animals were cheered on as they sped off around the course.

Otley Sailing Club were back at the show again and, for the third year running, offering people the chance to get out on showground lake to experience the sport.

Club member Stephen Colley said: "This is good publicity for the club and we have had people joining up as a result - in fact two people whose boat capsized last year ended up joining because they liked it so much!"

Club Secretary Gill Walton added: "We've been pretty busy and people are always very positive after they've had a go."

Ben Potter's Birds of Prey display proved a hit, too. Urging the audience to be sensible just before he unleashed a huge vulture, he cautioned: "Don't go waving your beefburger in the air while a hungry vulture is flying overhead!"

People were queuing up, too, to try their hand at practical country skills like dry stone walling and wood-turning, using a pole lathe.

The showfield was packed, as always, with stalls and tents from companies plus a wide range of charities and groups including The Dogs Trust, the NFU, The Donkey Sanctuary, RSPB, Wharfedale Beekeepers Association and Otley Lions.