More than 7,500 visitors flocked to NSA North Sheep 2011, with organisers hailing the event as a “resounding success“.

The visitors included many from overseas, including official inward missions from Brazil, Romania and Switzerland, while the crowd was keen to discuss business with the 250 trade stands, which included more than 40 breed societies and associations.

The event was officially opened by the NSA’s president the Duke of Montrose and Defra chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens.

Event organiser Julie Sedgewick said it was the most successful ever staged in the northern region.

“It reflected the current buoyancy in the marketplace, together with optimism for which sheep farmers are renowned,” she said. “There was a huge upbeat feeling.”

Plans are already being made to stage NSA Sheep 2013 in Yorkshire.