A FORMER Dalesman has praised agricultural show organisers after he successfully lobbied for equal prize money for women competitors in the sports events.

Richard Huntrods, of Elmshaw Road in Putney, London, was shocked to learn in the summer, while attending Kilnsey Show and Sports, that men competed for a bigger cash reward.

The fastest man in the crag race stood to receive £150 while the first woman across the line was rewarded with £60.

Mr Huntrods, who grew up in Grassington, makes the pilgrimage every year to the event accompanied by his four daughters.

He was questioned by his "incredulous" girls as to why the prize money was different between men and woman and he was unable to explain, he said.

"I'm delighted to say that after a short correspondence with the organisers, they have decided that for 2016, and from now on, the prizes will be equal," he added.

"I would like to thank Kathy Lambert, the show secretary, for taking my points on board and the race steward for changing the policy."

Mrs Lambert said the race steward had written to Mr Huntrods to explain all crag races would be restructured this year and hoped he would continue to support the show.

She said: "Men and women, boys and girls will receive equal prize money in each race. These changes will complete the committee's three-year plan for our foot races."

Kilnsey now comes into line with Malham, where prizes for all the men and women and boy and girl sports are the same. The new rule came into effect in the summer of 2015.

Organisers of Burnsall Sports are to discuss the prize money at a meeting later this year, said show official, James Stockdale.

He added: "At the moment, there is a difference in the prize money between the men and women, but this will be discussed at a date to be fixed at the first meeting of the committee in 2016.

"If it is decided the prizes should be equal, then I am sure some other prizes will have to be altered."

Retiring Gargrave Show chairman, Mark Smith, said the issue had not yet been discussed but he would raise it at the annual meeting on Monday.