FARMERS from across the region descended on Blackrod for the annual Haigh, Aspull and Blackrod Ploughing contest.

The sun shone and the rain held off allowing for what organisers described as a "fantastic day".

The contest at Brinsop Hall Farm, off the A6, saw entrants compete in a number of different categories including classic ploughs, under-20s and novices.

This was the seventh time the annual event has been held — after Blackrod town councillor and former farmer, Graham Farrington, revived the competition following a 50-year break.

He said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic day and we’ve seen a good standard of ploughing.

“There haven’t been as many young farmers with the majority of people taking part either middle aged or older.

“It takes a lot of skill to plough and looks a lot easier than it is.

“We’ve had the perfect weather and it’s great to see so many people coming out into the countryside instead of being cooped up in busier parts of town.

“There’s one tractor here which was farming during World War II – it’s great, that tractor will have been providing food in the war.”

Prizes were awarded for a number of different categories including the vintage hydraulic class and under-20s.

Cllr Farrington’s grandson Kieran Farley, aged 18, who works as a fabricator said: “I’ve taken part in ploughing competitions all over really, it’s definitely a hobby.

“It’s been a good day and we’ve had the good weather to match.”

All the money raised on the day will be donated to the Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.

Cllr Farrington said: “They provide a great service and I think a lot of people don’t realise all the work they actually do — so we are hoping to have a decent amount to give to them.

“Last year we managed to raise just over £500 so this year I’m hoping for the same figure or at least around the £400 mark.”