THE countryside rolled into town for the 73rd Bury and District Agricultural Society Show.

Visitors in their thousands flocked to Burrs Country Park on Sunday for the annual event, one of the highlights of the borough’s social calendar.

All creatures great and small congregated on the showground as their proud owners vied for best in class.

The main ring staged the ever popular birds of prey display, as well as the gun dog and Holcombe train hunt displays to showcase the best of British country pursuits and sports.

There was plenty for children to get involved in, including having donkey rides and seeing first hand a sheep sheared by hand by young television star Philip Mellin.

Philip, from ITV’s The Dales, was undoubtedly one of the most popular draws of the show as crowds gathered to watch him demonstrate his sheep dog handling skills and the sheep shearing.

Nancy Fillery, aged nine, from Ramsbottom, said: “I thought Philip was really clever with the dog.

“He was really quick.

“My favourite part was stroking the sheep. I have enjoyed today because I have been playing in the band too.”

Maddison Slattery, aged six, saddled up for the horse sections.

She said: “I have been riding since I was two-years-old.

“I am excited to be in the show.”

Mum Deborah Kershaw, of Haslingden, said: “Shows like this are brilliant.

“They are a good experience for young people, it gives them pride to appear in a show.

“For other children it is a chance to see animals which they may have not seen before so shows like this are very important.”

The traditional art of spinning was showcased, from taking the freshly sheared fleece to spinning it and then it being knitted.

Lydia El-Shazly, from Learn to Knit Bury, said: "Last year we had a stall but this year we have made it more interactive.

"The children have been really interested.

"Children can sometimes be disconnected from where things come from and the time spent on making them."

This year, the poultry classes had around 200 entries.

Colin Mitchell, who travels the country judging shows, said: "I am very impressed with the show, the site is very good.

"The standard of entries was good for this time of year."

The winner was an Ancona Cockerel belonging to a Mr Bailey from Clitheroe.

Gillian Bower, steward at the poultry section, added: "We have had people travel from all over for the show, especially in the donkey classes as many shows do not have a donkey class."