GREAT Yorkshire Show director Charles Mills took a trip into the past when he got behind the wheel of a 100-year-old Ford Ministry of Munitions tractor.

Members of the West Yorkshire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club are behind a display at the show which celebrates the Ford and Fordson Association’s 100th anniversary.

Whitby sculptor Emma Stothard has put the finishing touches to her 17-hand “Golden Horse” which will grace the Council Lawn near the bandstand throughout the show which starts tomorrow.

Ms Stothard, whose work has been commissioned for the Prince of Wales’s gardens at Highgrove House as well as the windows of Fortnum and Mason in London, is exhibiting at the show for the first time.

She has spent countless hours creating the golden horse from more than 200 kilos of drawn phosphor copper wire, designed to glint in the sunshine.

The show is also hosting the national Charolais breed show for the first time with entries at a record high.

Visitors to the show will be able to enjoy all things rural, with classes ranging from poultry to pole climbing and from honey to horticulture, along with hundreds of shopping opportunities at a huge range of tradestands.

Show director Mr Mills said: “We wish the best of luck to all our competitors, thank all of our volunteers for their exceptionally hard work at the event, and extend a warm welcome to all of our visitors.”

The 159th Great Yorkshire Show takes place from July 11 until July 13 at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.