A sheep show celebrating country life drew thousands of people from across the county.

Findon Sheep Fair has been held almost every year since 1785 and started as a sheep auction.

Farmers would travel from across Sussex to sell their sheep at Nepcote Green in Findon, near Worthing.

The auctions have not been held since 2001, when foot-and- mouth disease ravaged livestock farming and the fair was cancelled.

But the show was held again in 2002 and this year the sheep were brought back with a new spectacle telling the history of the animals.

The crowds also enjoyed morris dancing, a dog show, a falconry display, a fire display, a barn dance, a hog roast and a traditional fun fair.

Barry Parker, of the committee that runs the fair, said: "It used to be the biggest sheep auction in the South but sadly the foot-and-mouth restrictions meant we couldn't auction sheep on the green.

"There are a lot of people who remember the auctions. They were a fantastic spectacle but now the fair is more of a celebration of country life for all the family."

New Zealander Stuart Barnes, of The Sheep Show, entertained crowds with a sheep shearing display and a talk about different breeds.

He already plans to come back for next year's event.

He said: "The crowd was absolutely wonderful. They were one of the greatest audiences I have had all year.

"I do a lot of the big shows but the little ones are so much more personal and enjoyable. They looked after me and it was a really fun day."

The event included the Harris Family Fun Fair, which has been a part of Findon Sheep Fair for more than 100 years.

This year's event was no exception despite the death last month of Hildegarde Harris, 83, who had been involved in the fair all her life.

Her funeral procession passed through the village on Thursday.

Her son, Richard Harris, 56, said "In true showman spirit we said the show must go on. That's what she would have wanted."