MORE THAN 100 birds were shown at an annual gamefowl event on New Year’s Day.

The 173rd Holcombe Old English Gamefowl Show was held on Monday with 103 birds and six top prizes awarded to bird breeders.

Russell Taylor, honorary secretary of the Holcombe Old English Gamefowl Club, said: “This was a really good show with a high number of entries considering that last year’s show was cancelled by DEFRA due to the outbreaks of Avian influenza in other parts of the country.

“This resulted in DEFRA specifying a number of additional bio security measures in the licence for this year’s show, which could not have been held without the assistance of ARMAC Vets in Bury who were prepared to support the club with an on call vet in case of signs of avian sickness at the show.

“Once again many local people visited through the afternoon to support a tradition which has been upheld since at least 1843.”

Michael Durkin from Hoghton walked away with the most prizes.

He won the Mary Shaw Cup for the best bird in show as well as best Cock Class for the Oxford Centenary Cup, best Hen Class for the Sam Jackson Cup, best Pullet Class for the Harold Haworth Cup.

Alan Bower from Barnsley took home the Millie Whittaker Rose Bowl for Stag Class and Sophia Taylor from Bury won the Tom Randle Haworth Trophy for the Local Class.

The show was held at the Royal British Legion Club in Central Street, Ramsbottom.

A total of 21 exhibitors showed 103 birds and visitors came from as far a field as Cumbria, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Durham.

Many came from Lancashire and Greater Manchester as well.

The show was judged by Ian Morrison and Michael Durkin.