HUNDREDS of tractors have taken to the streets to raise money in memory of a young farmer.

The Knaresborough Young Farmers’ Club raised more than £20,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, organised in memory of former member Mike Spink.

Mike died in a road accident while working on a farm in New Zealand in 2017.

His family and friends from Knaresborough YFC wanted to honour his memory by organising the tractor run four years ago.

“There are no pre-entries, so you never know until the day how many are going to turn up,” said Steven Brown, one of the event’s organiser.

“We got to last year’s total of just over 300 and then they just kept coming; it’s a happy but very emotional day for all of us who knew Mike.

“He would be absolutely pleased to think of all these tractors turning out to remember him and raise money for such a good cause.”

The event, said to be the largest of its kind in England, saw about 360 tractors driven through Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

There was a new starting point, from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s (YAS) headquarters in Harrogate, due to its popularity.

“What really makes the day is the spectators,” added Steven.

“It makes all the hard work worthwhile, watching people cheering and waving as you go by on the tractors.

“It is breath-taking to think how this event has progressed in a short amount of time – it started out with a dozen people going for a drive in their tractors to remember Mike.”

Knaresborough YFC is now looking for new members.

“There used to be about 35 members turning up for meetings every week, now the club’s down to only about 10,” added James Parker, a former member of the Knaresborough YFC.

“It would be absolutely wonderful if some of the youngsters who come out to see the tractor run started to come along to young farmers.

“Everybody is very welcome; you don’t have to live on a farm to join young farmers.”

Knaresborough YFC meet every Wednesday, from 7pm, at Knaresborough Football Club or surrounding farms.

For more information, visit yfyfc.co.uk or phone 07920 884575.