County show attracts country's top stockmen.

Byline: By Anna Lognonne

Arecord number of the country's top stockmen, from Yorkshire, Cheshire, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders, are competing in livestock classes at this year's Northumberland County Show.

The Corbridge show, to be held on Monday and regularly attracts 23,000 visitors, is featuring a full range of animals for the first time since foot- and-mouth disease, with dairy cattle, sheep and goats on show, alongside beef cattle.

Many Northumberland farmers have restocked, and typical of them are the Murrays at Sewingshields on Hadrian's Wall, who are returning to the show with new vigour to exhibit their Blackface sheep.

Angus Murray, who sells a number of Blackface sheep to local farms to produce Mule lambs, said: "I'm highly delighted to be able to show sheep again after three years.

"It's a great boost to all sheep breeders to be able to show them to the general public. We'll be exhibiting some of our existing stock and some completely new to us, and the animals are looking quite well, although it's an early show for hill sheep."

Other farmers around the World Heritage site, who were also badly hit by foot-and-mouth, are taking part in the National Trust's Hadrian's Wall Beef and Lamb scheme, aimed at providing naturally reared, meat at competitive prices.

John Pattinson farms at Hotbank Farm on Hadrian's Wall, known to visitors as a beauty spot in the Northumberland National Park, but also home to hardy rare breeds such as Whitebred Shorthorn, Galloway and Bluegrey cattle - traditional breeds which have grazed these uplands for over 100 years.

The beef he and his fellow farmers are supplying is taking Newcastle restaurants by storm, and visitors to the Glorious Northumberland exhibition at the county show will have a chance to find out about the scheme, pick up a leaflet and place orders. Beef is available now and lamb from July.

John Pattinson said: "We are really pleased with the meat. The traditional upland pastures on which the animals are grazed produce slowly matured very tasty beef. We are hoping that as people discover its good eating qualities, demand will grow so that we can continue to keep rare breeds on the farm, and secure its future."

A further range of delicious local foods from members of the Northumbrian Larder will also be featured in the exhibition, promoting A Celebration of Northumberland's Finest.

Glorious Northumberland confirms that farming, tourism businesses, rural attractions and organisations are working together to promote local food and enjoyment of the countryside, to help boost the rural economy.

Show secretary Kath Walton said: "Although the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak was a terrible experience for the farming community it has made people think carefully about their livelihood and future income.

"Diversification schemes and new farming policies are being introduced to work alongside traditional systems which will enhance the industry."

Other highlights at this year's show include the Bold Dog Ling Freestyle Team of motocross stunt riders; the RAF Falcons display team and military band, the Mellin family sheep and duck display and the parade of the Haydon Hounds.