Lady Halifax with Margaret Watkinson of Sessay, Thirsk with her Champion Single Butchers Lamb at Countryside Live 2004.

There will be quality and quantity livestock at the 2005 Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair as organisers announce that both the cattle and sheep sections are full.

Entry figures stand at a record breaking 178 cattle and 206 sheep, with classes well filled across the sections. The event takes place at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October and is regarded as the "little sister" of the annual Great Yorkshire Show.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: "Since the show was first held in 2003, it has gone from strength to strength, attracting entries from England, Scotland and Wales. The quality of entries is second to none - last year the judges described the winning animals as "outstanding" and having looked through the entries, this year the standard will rise even further.

He added: "Countryside Live provides a fantastic opportunity for farmers to present some of the country's finest stock to both their peers and the general public. As an organisation the Yorkshire Agricultural Society is committed to promoting the best of British agriculture, and Countryside Live is a great way to do just that."

Judges in the two sections are: live beef: Barry Allsop of Harby, Leicestershire; live sheep: Andrew Bishop of Malvern, Worcs. Ian Weatherhead of Weatherhead Butchers, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate is judging the live/dead sheep classes. A total of £6,590 in prize money is on offer across the classes.

The Royal Smithfield Club National Festival of Meat will again be a feature of the event with classes for Saddle of Lamb for the first time, as well as the popular Ribs of Beef. Alec Traves of Escrick, York will be judging the lamb which has so far attracted an excellent 34 entries, whilst David Wright of Boston Lincs. will judge the beef ribs - so far 22 entries have been received.

New for 2005 is the Beef Ribs Tasting Panel as part of the event. On Sunday afternoon the Supreme and Reserve Champion beef ribs will be prepared and cooked by Richard Allen, the Head Chef of Harvey Nichols, Leeds in the Countryside Live cookery theatre. An explanation of both the selection and cooking of the meat will be provided by chef Elaine Lemm, and beef producer Donald MacPherson. Mr MacPherson farms at Baldersbury Hill, Berwick on Tweed, Northumberland running 250 Aberdeen Angus cattle, plus 75 Texels. Last year's winner of the UK Battle of the Beef competition, Mr MacPherson sells the majority of his meat through farmers' markets in North East England and South East Scotland. In addition he is developing sales through his web site.

Elsewhere at the event there is a thrilling display by the Xtreme Motorcycle Display team, quad bike and dodgem rides, dozens of stands, the popular cookery theatre, the Yorkshire Tug of War Championships, plus cattle and sheep competing in the livestock classes. The Yorkshire Woodfair makes a welcome return.

Tickets cost £7 on the gate for adults; concessions are £6. Children and Yorkshire Agricultural Society members are admitted free. For further information and tickets ring 01423 541222 or see the web site www.countrysidelive.co.uk. The gates open at 9.30am each day.

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