THE centre of a North Yorkshire town was overrun by sheep at the weekend as the 31st annual Masham Sheep Fair took place.

There were sheep classes and judging, a sheep show, sheep racing, a procession, band, morris dancing and stalls.

Despite the rain there were events indoors for visitors, including displays and stalls in the school, town hall and church.

The annual event was initially started as a one-off in 1988 by Susan Cunliffe-Lister to show case sheep, farming in the Dales and to raise cash for charity.

Its popularity has seen it return year after year.

Hundreds of sheep were shown over both days.

The fair is popular with both residents and tourists, and has weathered difficulties in the past including two years when it was affected by foot and mouth.

Breed classes include Jacob, Texel, Oxford Down, Wensleydale, and inevitably, the Masham breed.

Historically Masham was famous for its sheep sales, where in the pasts as many as 70,000 were sold each year.

The event has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities in the years it has been running.

This year, Masham Young Farmers were on hand to help marshal the parking and ensure the parking field was suitable for visitors.