THEY huffed and puffed and grunted and groaned. They dressed poultry like master butchers and they drove huge tractors with consummate skill.

Some were winners, some didn't even come close, but all had a good time and as dusk settled in they boogied the night away with a few beers and as much energy as they could muster.

By all accounts, last weekend's 56th annual county show of Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs at Northingtown Farm, Holt Heath, was a roaring success.

"It was just a fantastic day," said county chairman Demelza Audis. "The weather was superb, the programme ran more or less to time and we had lots of entries. Everyone got involved and probably, at the end of the day, the results were quite fitting too."

When all the points were added up, the overall winner was Crowle YFC with Wythall runners-up and Cutnall Green in third place.

"Crowle and Wythall are celebrating their 60th anniversaries this year and Cutnall Green their 25th, so it was good to see them getting the awards," Demelza added.

More than 400 Young Farmers from all over Worcestershire took part in a wide variety of competitions, which ranged from tug of war to floral art, poultry dressing to tractor handling.

One of the more unusual sections was the comedy weather forecast, while there were also the young farmers favourites such stock judging, cookery and first aid. Even sheep shearing made a return after several years' absence.

Now everything is set for the annual challenge against Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Young Farmers at June's Three Counties Show in June

results

Bomford Show Championship Cup: 1 Crowle, 2 Wythall, 3 Cutnall Green.

The Brindley Richards Individual Sheep Judging Cup: Crowle.

The Gordon Tyler Cup For Individual Juniors Sheep Judging: Inkberrow.

Poultry Trussing Cup: 1 Crowle, 2 Bromsgrove, 3 Cutnall Green.

Venables Shield (For Crafts): 1st Crowle, 2 Wythall, 3 Cutnall Green.

Amoco Tankard For Tractor Handling: Darren Warren, Wythall.

Main Exhibit Cup: Crowle.

Horse Judging Cup: Martley And Hagley Equal

The Junior Show Cup: 1 Wythall, 2 Cutnall Green, 3 Crowle.

The Afternoon Events Cup Presented By Mr Frank Gill: Cutnall Green.

The T S Bennett Stockjudging Cup: 1 Crowle, 2 Wythall, 3 Cutnall Green.

The H Milton Morgan Cup For Best Dairy Calf: Not Presented.

The Jim Rawles Memorial Trophy For Men's Tug Of War: Crowle

Howell Refrigeration Trophy (For Best Dairy Stockjudging Team): Inkberrow.

Will Davies Metalwork Trophy: Richard Higgins (Tenbury).