A BBC presenter will take on the role of inaugural commentator for Malton Show’s sheep section.

Gareth Barlow produces and presents a weekly food and farming programme for Radio York and has also presented on BBC’s Countryfile, after starting his career as a sheep farmer aged 17.

Last year, the number of sheep entries at Malton Show were up by 50 per cent and to build on this success the sheep section is continuing to expand in a number of directions.

A new breed section for the Lleyn and a Wool on the Hoof section were added last year and, for 2015, the Texel breed section has seven new classes.

In addition, by bringing in Gareth, the show intends to make the event more exciting, informative and visitor-friendly to appeal to an even wider audience.

Lizzie Jennings, chief steward for sheep and goats at Malton Show, said: “We are delighted that Gareth is joining us on July 5.

“We are seeing an increase year-on-year for the numbers of goat and sheep entries but growth last year was particularly pleasing and we want to highlight the show’s success.

“Last year we had more than 200 sheep and 30 goats entered and so this year we will have 10 breed sections plus Wool on the Hoof, Butchers’ Lambs, Non-Pedigree and Young Handlers to make up 78 classes in total.

“Sheep exhibitors come from as far afield as Nuneaton in Warwickshire and South Lanarkshire and we have a dozen judges and 10 stewards to look after them, but we wanted to improve the visitors’ experience too so, for the first time, we are adding detailed commentary throughout all our judging, starring Gareth.

“We want people to understand what the judges are looking for and how they select the winners and our new presenter will explain this as well as sharing knowledge on the breeds in general.n addition we are going to display new information boards in our section to again give visitors more interaction and insight into the animals they’ve come to see.”

Malton Show is also part of the new prestigious, inter-show sheep competition the Regional Sheep Exhibitors’ Championship 2015.

This new collaboration was successfully trialled last year and now includes five local shows – Malton Show, Driffield Show, Thornton-le-Dale Show, Ryedale Show and new for 2015, North Yorkshire County Show. Sponsored by Malton Livestock Auctioneers, the prizes include a specially-commissioned shepherd’s crook made by Iain Blinkworth worth £200, plus cash prizes for first, second and third place.

Lizzie said exhibitors collect points based on prizes won at each show – giving a level playing field for all breeders to compete rather than just the more commercial types.

“Those who support more than three of the participating shows will have their best total scores from three of the five events taken into account,” she said.

“The competitor with the highest number of points at the end will be named Regional Sheep Exhibitors’ Champion for 2015. It gives extra well-earned prestige and promotion to the farmers for all their hard work and effort that goes into breeding and showing.”

Last year’s winners were Pat and Trevor Black from Gowthorpe, York, who were showing animals from their Blackwolds flock of Jacob sheep.

Malton Show will be further supported this year by the Ryedale Sheepdog Society running the sheepdog trials, which take place alongside the livestock area, near the main ring.

The show takes place at Scampston Park, near Malton, on Sunday, July 5, starting at 9am, and ending in the early evening.

Further details can be found on the show’s website maltonshow.com