LOCAL livestock farmers were among the winners at this year's Three Counties Show.

Livestock entries were up overall, while the number of cattle entries was up 20 per cent on last year.

Marsh Court Farm, Eldersfield, had a number of winning entries in the Hereford beef cattle sections.

Farmers daughter Eleanor Robson, of Marsh Court Farm, said Roma, one of their young heifers had got a third prize.

Eleanor helps out at the Three Counties Show every year and will be attending other agricultural shows with the farm's Herefords during the summer.

There were also prizes for Sue Farquhar, of Hansnett Farm, near Ledbury, for her Devon cattle.

"It takes months of preparation to get an animal ready for showing," explained Mrs Farquhar, whose Yearling Devon bull won second prize.

There were no prizes for Ledbury MP Bill Wiggin, who keeps a handful of Hereford's, The Parliament Herd, as a hobby.

"It's a great show. I love coming. The people are so incredibly friendly," said Mr Wiggin, who said that his Hereford's were competing against the "best of the best".

There were prizes for Gerald Blandford, of Temple Court farm, near Bosbury, with two thirds and two fourths for his Herefords.

"The big increases in the number of livestock entries this year is really encouraging," said Sharon Gilbert, spokeswoman for the Three Counties Agricultural Society.

"It's a sign that the show has made a good recovery following some very difficult times."