THOUSANDS of farmers, families and fluffy animals returned to a popular agricultural show after two years off.

The Ulverston and North Lonsdale Agricultural Show returned today at Lindal Cote Farm and was a hit with the local community who spent the day enjoying the sunshine, food vendors and an array of farm animals competing and showing off.

The event, the first major agricultural show in the calendar, has been cancelled for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Mail: Youngsters sit on vintage tractors pic: Chris Warner Youngsters sit on vintage tractors pic: Chris Warner

Show secretary Jo Ward was delighted to see so many happy faces as the event returned.

She said: “It has been an excellent day so far. We’ve had a lot going on from sheep sheering, to our fantastic new attraction Joseph’s Amazing Racing Pigs, Alice’s dog show, Cumbria Pole Dancing sessions and a lot going on in the main ring including a variety of horse classes.

“We’ve been so lucky to have an amazing committee to help make this year look fantastic.

"They have really pulled it together as we needed it this year more than anything, we needed to get back to normality.

The Mail: Children enjoy competing in Alice's Dog ShowChildren enjoy competing in Alice's Dog Show

“We haven’t had a show for two years so it is great to be back. The location is fantastic we are very thankful for the Sharp family for letting us use their field.

“We have also had some great support from volunteers including Duddon canoe club, Sandside School, Ulverston resilience group, young farmers, Barrow football club and a lot of volunteers and individuals from the community helping us out and round the field, it’s been amazing.

“The community have also been amazing just showing up today and having fun.”The Mail: Kids take part in fun activities Kids take part in fun activities

This year there was a new attraction at the show with 'Joseph's Amazing Racing Pigs' 

Six rare breed pigs, ranging from Tamworths to Gloucester Old Spots to Saddlebacks to Berkshires to Oxford sandy and blacks, filled the arena with their amusing antics.

Co-owner of Josephs Amazing Racing Pigs act is Rebeca Fosset who has been running the act for 12 years now.

She said: “Camel racing is our core business and we often travel all over for that but we wanted to look at something for smaller shows and we came up with racing pigs.

The Mail: Rebecca and her helpers with the racing pigs Rebecca and her helpers with the racing pigs

“I love it and the audiences love it. It’s great to be back on the road again and great to be at our first Ulverston and North Lonsdale show where we will hopefully be returning next year.”

Youngsters attended with their mums, dads, grandparents, and their furry four-legged friends to enjoy the beaming sun.

The Mail: Frobisher family travel up to watch new attractionFrobisher family travel up to watch new attraction

The Frobisher family who traveled up from Lincolnshire said: “We come up to the show every year and we are very excited for the return after three years off, especially for the new attraction of the pig racing.

“We enjoy coming and supporting a community-based event but we also really enjoy the jam for sale.”