A line-up of the region's finest farm animals won high praise from judges as they competed for championship rosettes at the Wayland Show.

Sunday's event brought thousands of visitors onto the showground in Watton, where the traditional competitions featured 265 sheep, 40 goats and 28 pigs.

Although there was some disappointment that there were no cattle on show due to a lack of entries across all classes, the sheep and pig competitions were hotly contested.

Watton & Swaffham Times: Livestock competitions at the 2023 Wayland Show in WattonLivestock competitions at the 2023 Wayland Show in Watton (Image: Chris Hill)

Livestock steward Gail Sprake said: "The judges said the quality of animals, and the number of animals, in this rural country show was the epitome of what it should be.

"We have had a super Norfolk Horn show, and some very competitive classes. With the Southdowns there were 12 ewes and not one that you could say was a poor sheep, so the judges had their work cut out.

"We've got good entries of all different breeds right across the board, whether it is Hill and Heath, Primitive, Closewool and Downs, even the Longwools, they have all turned up to support us and the quality this year has been excellent.

"It is a true rural agricultural show, and there have been a lot of people here watching. I think we have put on a really good show."

Watton & Swaffham Times: Livestock competitions at the 2023 Wayland Show in WattonLivestock competitions at the 2023 Wayland Show in Watton (Image: Chris Hill)

Although show organisers have raised concerns over the event's future unless more volunteers step forward to run it, Mrs Sprake said there was no shortage of willing assistance in the livestock section.

WAYLAND SHOW LIVESTOCK CHAMPIONS

SHEEP. Norfolk Horn: T & S Clover. Southdown: A Readhead-Higgins. Coloured Ryeland: J Stone. Greyface Dartmoor: S Smith. Continental: F Bethley (Blue Texel). Hill & Heath: B Lugsden (Border Leicester). Longwool: A Allen (Romney). Shortwool & Down: A Byford (Hampshire). Commercial: Skinner & Cameron (Suffolk). Interbreed: A Byford (Hampshire). RBST Champion: B Lugsden (Border Leicester). Group Of Three, Non RBST: A Allen (Romney). Group Of Three, RBST: L Stephen (Norfolk Horn). Young Handlers, Junior: 1, Ned Case; 2, Harry Morfoot. Intermediate: 1, Izzy Stephen; 2, Aailyah Collins. Senior: 1, Rosie Stephen; 2, Lauren Filby.

PIGS. White Sow: D Finch. Coloured Sow: T Cook. White Gilt: M Kiddy. Coloured Gilt: P Churchyard. White Maiden Gilt: M Kiddy. Coloured Maiden Gilt: P Churchyard. Best Pair of Breeding Pigs: M Keymer. Champion Pig: P Churchyard. Young Handler: Jake Churchyard.