A HUGELY successful three days of English National Sheepdog Trials took place over the weekend.

The event, which was last came to Yorkshire nine years ago, was held at Castle Howard from Friday to Sunday.

Some of the best dogs and biggest names in sheepdog trialling came together from across the country to compete to win one of 15 places in the national team and go on to represent England in the International Trials.

Culminating in a final run-off, between Friday’s winner Northumbrian Emma Gray and Tweedale Jamie, Saturday’s winner Ricky Hutchinson and Sweep from Lancashire, and Sunday’s winner Jed Watson and Zac from Devon, the competitors drove their packets of sheep in the last of the evening light.

The winner was Jed Watson and Zak, who lifted the England Championship trophy and now has the honour of captaining the England team at the International in Wales next month.

Matt Watson from Healaugh, near Tadcaster, also made it on to the team, having only just recovered from an operation, which had restricted his practise in the run up to the event.

Bob Harland, from Glebe Farm, Pickering, was runner-up in the Brace competition with his dogs Flash & Laddie.

Castle Howard Estate director Josh Feakins presented the International Sheepdog Society trophies to the winners.

The event also included an array of family activities, including a craft and demonstration marquee on Saturday and Sunday, a children’s tent and bouncy castle, and "handlers corner" for those who wanted to learn more about what’s happening on the trial field, talk to the experts and find out about their dogs.

Alec Mosey, local chairman of the 2016 English National Sheepdog Trials, said: “It’s been an amazing three days, the crowds, the dogs, the sheep, the weather– all perfect. It has attracted visitors from all over the country and been a great advert for Yorkshire.

"We’ve also raised a good sum of money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance."