THE cream of Britain's pedigree livestock was at this year's Three Counties Show.

Numbers were up on last year, with a substantial increase in rare breed sheep and cattle entries.

Local farmers and breeders collected their share of the prizes for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and equestrian classes.

Newent's Lewis Barnfield was very pleased with a collection of first prizes for his Gloucester Old Spots and Berkshires. He also won an overall prize of supreme traditional pig champion for one of his Berkshire sows and reserve male champion for one of his Gloucester Old Spot January Boars.

"They're the best results we've had for a few years and we'll definitely be back again next year," said Mr Barnfield, who has been exhibiting his Kilcott herd of pedigree pigs at the Three Counties for 14 years.

The bulk of the livestock competitions took place on Friday and Saturda,y with Sunday being dedicated to rare breeds and the Alpaca Show.

TCAS spokesman Sharon Gilbert said: "In spite of continuing challenges in farming, breeders throughout the Three Counties have demonstrated their support for the show and Malvern is still a popular place to showcase some of the best livestock in the country."

In the show's horse section, there were some significant local winners. The champion ridden hunter was Sunday Best, stabled at Upleadon, near Newent, also home to The Fieldmaster, winner of the Work of Art Perpetual Cup.

The reserve champion filly, colt or gelding was Claudia, owned by Mr G Webb, of Wacton Farm, Bredenbury, and the champion riding horse was He's A Diamond, owned by Mrs M Waring, of Knowle Farm, Suckley.

Bankswood Prince of Rogues, owned by Mr C Sandison and Mrs A Eccles and based at Queenhill, near Upton-upon-Severn, was named champion anglo and part bred arab.

Eastnor blacksmith Andrew Findlay won first prize in the contemporary class for blacksmiths, for his ornate mirror showing roses and oak leaves.

He said: "I'm really very pleased. I was up against stiff competition from blacksmiths from as far afield as Scotland and Wales, along with students from the rural crafts course at the Hereford College of Technology."