NON-STOP sunshine, soaring temperatures and a Royal visit were among the reasons organisers say made this year's Great Yorkshire show among the best ever

More than 134,000 visitors, up from last year's 133,542 crowds, thronged the Harrogate showground during the three-day event that ended on Thursday.

Show Director Charles Mills said: “I couldn’t have been prouder of the Show, it was a magical three days, a real celebration of farming and the countryside.

"The weather, the atmosphere, the standard of competition and a visit from HRH The Princess Royal made it a truly spectacular Show and from the feedback we are getting, our visitors thought so too!”

The final day saw an-all Yorkshire jump-off in the 50th anniversary Ripon Select Foods Cock O’ The North showjumping class, won by Joe Clayton of Huddersfield on Via Van Der Karmenhoek Z. The same combination had won the opening class on the first day.

Thursday also saw a visit by farming minister George Eustice and the formal handover of the show's presidency from Bill Cowling over to Tom Ramsden.

The Supreme Sheep of the show was Paul Tippetts of Shropshire’s Beltex and the Pig of the Year title was won by Robert Emmerson’s Large White gilt, Maple Leaf, from Leicestershire.

The Supreme Dairy Champion was an Ayrshire, Willowfields Winnie II, owned by Bill Lindsay and Howard Batty, of Lanarkshire and the Supreme Beef Champion was Boden and Davies Ltd of Stockport’s British Charolais cow Sportsmans Maisie.

Next year's show will be on July 9, 10 and 11.