THE British National Ploughing Championships and Country Festival held at Bishops Lydeard attracted a record 260 competitors, with one ploughman coming from as far as Edinburgh.

Organiser Sue Frith, chief executive of the Society of Ploughmen, described the event hosted by K S Coles and family as a tremendous success with crowds estimated at 10,000.

“It could not have gone any better,” said Sue. “The Coles were so welcoming – they were fantastic hosts. And, of course, we could not have staged the event without the volunteers who came from all over the country.”

Ashley Boyles, of Lincolnshire, was named Supreme Champion and he will represent Britain in the World Ploughing Championships in Germany next year.