MONMOUTHSHIRE Show welcomed thousands of visitors on the weekend for its annual celebration of all things agricultural.

The show, one of the most famous of its kind in Wales, took place at Monmouth Showground on Saturday.

Farmers from across the county competed in livestock competitions, with one impressive young sheep farmer scooping up two prizes.

Rhys Cooke, 24, from Llantillio Crossenny, near Abergavenny, won the ‘champion sheep in show’ prize as well as the ‘reserve sheep in show’ award.

It is believed to be the first time the same person had picked up awards for the two best sheep in the same show.

Farmer Howell Davies said he had never missed a Monmouthshire Show.

He said: “My family have always been meat and dairy farmers.

“The Monmouthshire Show is very important to us farmers because it allows people to learn more about living rurally.

“It’s also a lot of fun. There are dog shows which always go down well.”

Around 70 pedigree breeds of dog were at the show, and were judged using official Kennel Club standards.

As well as the agricultural and animal contests, Monmouthshire Show had a long-list of fun-filled events including a motorbike stunt group performance.

Kate Jon travelled from Hereford to have a look round the show.

“The queues were enormous to get here,” she said.

“I’m glad we are now in here. My dad was a farmer and I love rural life.”

“It’s a great day out for everyone.”

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay held a surgery at the show.

He said: “It was great to meet up with constituents and hear their concerns on a wide variety of issues, and also to talk to members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).

“The picturesque showground on the banks of the Wye looked glorious in the brilliant sunshine and as usual organisers had assembled all the ingredients to make for a great family day out, including a big screen so that football fans could watch England triumph in the quarter finals.”