Hundreds of competitors flocked to Cockermouth and District Agricultural Society’s annual celebration of country life but one sheep looked like she could steal the show.

Kim Crosland, 14, of Irton House Farm, Isel, made a colourful statement for charity by colouring three-year-old Texel mule-cross Evie pink for the event, held at The Fitz.

The Keswick School pupil performed the makeover using food colouring to encourage show visitors to donate to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Fund (RABI) – the event’s nominated charity.

Evie was bottle-fed after her mother died and she and Kim have become firm friends.

Kim said: “I thought it would be a fun thing to do. I enjoy being outside with the sheep. I’d say they’re more like friends.”

Taylor Charlton, of Crown Point Farm, Skelton, was among the entrants in the cattle classes. He said: “It’s nice to come out and show your stock off. It’s a good atmosphere and we enjoy winning. It’s a good day out.”

Graham Rudd of Jenkins Cross Farm, Wigton, picked up prizes including champion Jersey at the event, where he was accompanied by children Joe, four, and Chloe, three.

He said: “It’s good advertisement for my stock and it’s good to support the local shows. The children love coming to the shows.”

It wasn’t just real animals keeping families entertained. Churches Together in the Cockermouth Area hid five decorated model sheep around the show field for people to find in the Where’s Woolly? challenge, based on the parable of the lost sheep.

Brian Gorman, who helped make the model sheep, was among those manning the Churches Together stand, which also provided crafts to do and an animation to watch.

He said: “The kids are really interested in Where’s Wooly?

“It’s a really good social event catching up with people you haven’t seen for quite some time, and the weather’s fantastic.”

As well as the animals, and an industrial section with record entries, attractions included vehicles and stationary engines from years gone by, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling and fairground rides.

Showing his Morris Minor Traveller was George Hoey, 75, of Maryport. He took the car off the road in the 1980s when its wooden window surrounds began to rot – a common problem with such cars. But just over a decade ago he replaced the frame and gave it a new lease of life.

He said: “I don’t like to see things go to the scrapyard. It’s nice to bring it for a run out. This has always been a good show. You meet people and you can have a good crack and a walk about.”

There was disappointment for organisers ahead of the 168th annual show when the hard ground forced the cancellation of the planned showjumping amid safety concerns. Despite that, show secretary Norma Boyes said the event had been successful, benefiting from good weather and a good turnout.

She added: “We seem to have been very busy with a good gate. We’re very grateful for all the support.

“It’s a great place for people to meet up even if they haven’t seen each other for a year. And it encourages young people into showing.”