Falconer swooping in on new showcase for country pursuits

The Great North Country Fair will take place next weekend at Harewood House and is organised by the team behind the venue's successful Yorkshire Game Fair that takes place in May.

Mr Potter, from Thirsk, and Mr Dixon, from East Harlsey, have worked together in the past, and the show's chairman, David Read, said visitors would be amazed by their skills.

He added: "Les Dixon's display is one of the most entertaining and informative dog displays that I have ever seen and we have a fantastic line-up for our first annual fair.

"We are very excited about the fact that we have the opportunity to showcase some of Yorkshire's finest talent. Both Ben and Les are two of the best in their fields, and we are looking forward to them taking centre stage."

The Yorkshire Game Fair attracted more than 21,000 visitors this spring, and Mr Read said he was hopeful that next weekend's event would prove equally popular.

Other attractions at the fair will be a display by Katy Cropper, the only woman to have ever won television's One Man and His Dog competition, and a series of classic vehicle parades.

The Wildlife Trust, British Ferret Club and the British Deer Society will be there and Yorkshire food producers will also be manning stalls. Those who want to stay for both days can book a campsite pitch.

The fair will take place on both Saturday and Sunday between 8am and 6pm. For more details visit www.greatnorthcountryfair. co.uk or call 01494 445105.