The importance of sheep to the Yorkshire countryside has long been recognised at the Great Yorkshire Show, with more than 30 breeds competing for the championship prizes over the three days.

Deborah Goodall of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society with Paul Theakston, Managing Director, Black Sheep Brewery raising a glass to the success of the 2008 Great Yorkshire Show.

Now the Show, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, has teamed up with a sheep of a different kind, the famous Black Sheep Brewery, to give its customers a unique opportunity to present a trophy at the event. Organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, the show runs from Tuesday 8 - Thursday 10 July and takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate.

Deborah Goodall, Sponsorship Manager explained: "We have worked closely with the brewery for a number of years but, as this will be our 150th Show, we wanted to do something special. The opportunity arose for someone to present the trophy to the breed champion of the Swaledale section, a strong Yorkshire breed, so we went to Black Sheep for help."

Delighted to assist, the Masham-based brewery decided that rather than hand over the trophy itself it would offer the opportunity to customers, involving landlords of its flagsheep pubs. Customers need to collect tokens from its pubs, which can then be exchanged for discounted Great Yorkshire Show tickets. One entry will be selected at random and the winner will present the trophy on the first day of the event, Tuesday 8 July.

Managing Director, Paul Theakston, said: "The Great Yorkshire Show is a key date in every Yorkshire man's diary, bringing together the best of what the region has to offer, so we were delighted when we were approached to present a trophy on the day. Although we would have loved to take the honour ourselves, we wanted to get local members of the community more actively involved. We're sure there are many people who will be keen to step up and take a starring role on the day and we look forward to seeing who wins the Swaledale competition."

The Great Yorkshire Show is the largest farming and country event in the North of England attracting more than 120,000 visitors over the three days. As well as the popular livestock sections there are ring displays, fashion shows, cookery demonstrations and top class show jumping.

The sheep section is always a major draw. With one of the highest entry figures of any agricultural event, it is virtually a show within a show. Last year saw a record breaking 1,738 entries across 34 breeds. The presentation of the awards and the Sheep Parade are key highlights of the section.

For more information please see www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

Superb Livestock at Great Yorkshire Show
Comprehensive Seminar Programme for Beef Expo 2008
NSA Scotsheep Shaping Up to be the Best Ever