WIGTON twin brothers, James and Philip Mattinson found themselves in the history books at a soggy Westmorland County Show.

For the pair, of Rosewain Farm, proudly stepped forward to receive one of the Burke Trophies with their renowned Ayrshire dairy cows.

The Burke Trophies, given to the best beef and dairy pairs, were contested at the Royal Show in Warwickshire until it ended in 2009. The trophies now move around the country.

Christine Knipe, chief executive of the Westmorland County Agricultural Society, said it was the first time the trophies had been presented at a non-royal and a one-day show.

James explained they had not been to the county show for 15 years, but were drawn this time by the Burke Trophy for best dairy pairs.

“We heard it was coming and we really wanted to win it,” he said. “It’s steeped in history and it was at the Royal Show. Now it moves around it was a good chance to have a go for it.”

Paul Westaway was given the difficult task of deciding the winner.

He said: “I had the privilege of judging the Burke Trophy, it’s the Champions league of beef and dairy showing and it’s just a great honour to be asked to judge it.”

The overall dairy champion went to Harrison & Sons of Cliburn, near Penrith with Crossrigg Fremont Roxy. They also picked up Home Bred Champion and Home Bred Dairy Champion, while reserve was Katherine Jenkinson of Scaleby with her Jerseys. The 24-year-old has enjoyed huge success on the show scene with her home-bred Jerseys. She also picked up the cups for Home Bred Reserve Champion and reserve Home Bred Dairy Champion.

Other winners included the Pattinsons from Brampton with their British Blues, and the Armstrong family from Mooriggs, near Penrith with their Dairy Shorthorns.

A Dalton farmer, who has been showing his French breed of cattle for the first time this show season took home the overall beef champion title.

James Duerden, of Killerwick Grange, felt his winning home-bred Parthenaise - a 28-month-old called Killerwick Nova - was in with a good chance at the show because she had ‘great style.’

He said Parthenaise were increasingly popular on these shores because ‘they are early calving, double-muscled and the meat is low cholesterol’.

Phil Massey and George Hall of Bury picked up the trophy for best beef pair with their Herefords.

They paid tribute to the county show, with Phil saying: “It’s well laid on. You get here and there’s always people willing to help you.

“It’s very farm run and farm friendly.”

With tractors drafted in to pull stranded vehicles out of the car park, those who persevered despite the weather were rewarded with a classic agricultural show featuring stock-judging and more.

This year was certainly a landmark for the show with a number of record livestock entries.

Among those who made the trip to the show was National Farmers Union president, Minette Batters, who spoke to farmers on various topics including Brexit and the future of farming.

Mrs Knipe said “The standard of livestock this year was exceptional and it was phenomenal to celebrate the new record of entries we’ve received across the course.

“It was also brilliant for Minette Batters to see first-hand the amazing passion from our farmers, young and old, and to then follow it with our food hall where she was absolutely bowled over by the quantity and quality of our local produce.”

Elsewhere, the show hosted a class for Polled Dorset sheep for the first time.

Competitor and winner Catherine Muncaster, of Gosforth, said: “It can only go from strength to strength. These sheep are quiet and perfectly ideal for smallholders, and it’s a breed that’s becoming popular.”