Excited crowds flocked for an action-packed agricultural show.

About 2,000 people are thought to have turned out for Gosforth Show, making up for last year's washout event.

Organisers admit they breathed a sigh of relief when rain held off on Saturday, after they had been forced to abandon the 2016 event halfway through.

Dancing sheep were the star attraction at the historic event this year, as visitors enjoyed classic activities and new events.

Alongside The Sheep Show, a popular travelling performance, was a sheep racing contest.

Barrel racing, an American rodeo style event, was a welcome addition to the show, allowing visitors to watch a demonstration before having a go themselves.

Julia Watson said: "We had all the usual competitions around the field including the calf and sheep young handler classes, where visitors saw the next generation in action.

"The catering tent had Dicky Dippinson in residence and the beer tent had live band, Pot Luck.

"Around the field there was a ferret show and the very popular dog show."

The event, which takes place on the third Saturday of every August, showcases the finest local produce and livestock.

While Jason the juggling jester returned to the fields while crowd favourites such as tug 'o' war and Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling were also held.

Among the other entertainment was children's sports, the popular horticulture and handicraft tents, poultry classes and terrier racing.

Visitors were also able to view vintage cars and machinery as well look back at local history. The history tent, which has been a feature of the show since 2000, displays photos and information about past festivals.

With rain reported in Eskdale, Whitehaven and Bootle, Julia admits they were very fortunate.