The farming showcase event has enjoyed a high level of interest from farmers with hundreds of high quality sheep and cattle expected to be displayed at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate on October 25 and 26.

The high number of entries have come as a boost to organisers who last year had to cope with the disappointment of not having any livestock entries due to foot and mouth restrictions.

Honorary show director Bill Cowling said: "We are obviously delighted to have the cattle and sheep back at the show.

"We have a waiting list of people wanting to join the 168 cattle in the stalls and the 184 sheep, which runs in some cases to 20 to 30 names.

"This is an event that is becoming part of the show calendar. I am hoping that it will continue to grow.

"It is very much a shop window for the farming community and many of the people who come to the show will not be from farming backgrounds and will be looking at it more from the food aspect."

He added that he hoped the introduction of the equestrian classes would put the event in the equine calendar for future years.

The event, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, is often dubbed the 'little sister' of the annual Great Yorkshire Show. Held in the Yorkshire Event Centre at the showground, 90 per cent of activities take place inside the purpose-built exhibition halls.

Cattle judging will be done in various classes including Limousin, British Blue, Charolais and the Blonde Breed Championships.

There are also classes for Young Handlers and a Baby Beef Section, with the supreme championships due to be judged on the Sunday.

Sheep entries have been strong as well with classes for Shortwool and Longwool natives, continental, rare breeds and horned lambs all due to take place.

And for the first time in the show's short history, pigs are due at the event with a demonstration of 14 different breeds of pedigree pigs on the itinerary.

As part of the society's first indoor equine event, master classes of show jumping skills are being held by international show jumper Graham Fletcher,

Another new event for 2008 is the sausage sizzle – to find the country's best sausage makers.

The competition has attracted 28 entries from 11 exhibitors which is the maximum capacity for the section for this year.

Expert Denis Elliott, who has more than 50 years' experience in the sausage industry and is a BPEX judge, has the difficult task of choosing the show's top sausages.

Entries to the pigeon and poultry sections have also closed, with a total of 659 pigeons entered and 1,001 poultry.

For information about tickets call 01423 541222.