THOUSANDS of visitors congregated in the hot North York Moors sunshine on Monday for the 109th annual Farndale Show.

The showfield in the village of Church Houses was host to the day's action which saw attractions including a gundog display, a bird-of-prey flying demonstration and sheep-shearing.

Many of the attendees had been to the show before. Janet Tongue, who had a stand selling a range of plants and flowers at the show, said she and her partner had been going to it for 15 years - even though they are based in Derbyshire.

"Whenever we can get to this area we do, because we love it," she said. "It's lovely - a proper country show. It's still got the traditional feel."

For others, it was a first. Ted Cooper, of Terrington, was on site as his granddaughter was showing livestock.

He said: "It's the first time I've been, and it's a great little show - very well-attended and a nice day for it."

Some local businesses has stalls along the edge of the showground. Annwyn Botanicals is a skincare range, handmade on the North York Moors, using plants and herbs sourced in the area.

Alice Adams, from the company, said the business started three years ago and this was the third time they have attended. "We started off very very small. This show three years ago was the very first time really that we'd ever come out into the world with the products, but it's grown really quickly," she said.

Among the special attractions at the show were the Commondale Wool Spinners, who put on a wool spinning and knitting display.

Beth Burrows, from the group, said there are about 15 members, and explained their mission. "We're a group of volunteers who get together and love to work with wool. We basically take wool as from raw fleece, through processes like carding and spinning and colouring and weaving. Everything that we sell - if we make any money from anything - we give our money to charity. It's a way of facilitating doing what we're passionate about.

"It's definitely one of the best shows I've ever been to. It's extremely well-organised, and you feel as though you're a guest, quite honestly. It's absolutely lovely, and I shall be fishing for another invite."