THE new head of the Great Yorkshire Show has been announced.

Charles Mills, who farms at Appleton Roebuck, near York, is due to succeed Bill Cowling as honorary show director after this year’s event, on July 16.

Mr Cowling is stepping down after 10 years in his post, although his involvement will continue as a member of the cattle committee.

His successor has had a number of roles within the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which runs the show, including joint chief cattle steward, and has been a member of the society’s governing body since 2002.

Mr Mills has also played a significant role in the society’s work with young people, running arable workshops at the Countryside Days event for primary school children each June and is also a member of the management committee of the Future Farmers of Yorkshire.

Announcing the appointment, society chairman Simon Theakston said: “I am delighted that Charles is to be our new honorary show director, succeeding Bill at the close of this year’s Great Yorkshire.

“He will continue the society’s strong tradition of putting agriculture and rural life at the heart of our flagship event, as well as the continued success of our autumn event, Countryside Live.”

A first taste of his new position will come at this year’s Great Yorkshire, which runs from Tuesday, July 14, to Thursday, July 16, when he will shadow Bill Cowling before accepting the crook of office in the show’s closing ceremony.