A GIANT steel sculpture was unveiled today in honour of the Great Yorkshire Show’s160th anniversary.

The enormous galvanised steel cow, which was inspired by the famous Craven Heifer, the largest heifer ever shown in England, will now make its way across Yorkshire to promote England’s biggest agricultural show.

It will then take pride of place on President’s Lawn at the showground ready for the show which takes place from July 10-12.

The sculpture, which is 6ft high, 4ft wide, 11ft long and weighs more than half a tonne, began its journey at Bolton Abbey, where the real heifer was reared in the 19th century.

The prized beast was so remarkable it was put on show at London’s Smithfield Market, where people would pay to see it.

After leaving the abbey, the sculpture made its way to Imphal Barracks in Fulford, which is adjacent to the site where the very first Great Yorkshire Show was held in the Barrack Yard of the 5th Dragoons in 1838.

It was welcomed into the barracks by piper Cpl Samir Rai, children from Fulford School and St Oswald’s CE primary, the 2 Signal Regiment, and dignitaries, including Lt Col Caroline Lewin, the commander of York Garrison and show director Charles Mills.

Mr Mills said: “Today has been a momentous start to our anniversary celebrations.

“The Craven Heifer was an iconic animal born and bred in the same era as the first Great Yorkshire Show.”

The sculpture was commissioned by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, who organise the show, and was designed and made by Whitby-based artist Emma Stothard.

After intensive research with experts at the Bolton Abbey estate, Emma hand-wove each piece of steel, before the sculpture was galvanised, powder-coated and hand-finished.

The whole process took around two months, with artist Emma, saying: “It was an ambitious project, but it was brilliant working with like-minded people. It was a real team effort.”

She will be at the showground alongside her sculpture to talk to visitors, as well as exhibiting some of her other works, made using the same process.

The show’s organisers are also launching a competition to win tickets for the show in July.

People are being encouraged to take selfies with the sculpture as it makes its ways around Yorkshire - stopping off at spots in Wakefield, Malton, Huddersfield, Driffield and Sheffield.

The best selfie from each location posted with #GYSheifer will win a family ticket to the show.

For tickets, details of the competition and information about the show go to https://greatyorkshireshow.co.uk