SKIPTON’S quirky Sheep Day takes place on Sunday - with organisers hoping the current good weather will extend into the weekend.

Voted by customers of National Express Holidays as one of their five favourite ‘quirky’ events in the country, it now has the accolade of being one of the UK’s ‘weirdest’ events.

Sunday’s event, in the closed High Street, will celebrate the origins of ‘Sheep Town’ by bringing the countryside into the heart of the town. A great day out for all the family, there will be the Sheep Show - seen all over the world and including live sheep shearing and rare breeds, as well as a host of other entertainment, including wood carving, crafts, drystone walling, and rope making. There will also be a mini petting zoo, birds of prey, the Nidderdale Llamas, fairground rides, and a ‘bucking sheep’.

Live music will be provided by brass bands and Craven singer, Niamh Mirfield, and there will also be dancing from Craven based Morris dancers.

Sheep Day will also this year commemorate Armed Forces Day, the culmination of Armed Forces Week. Celebrations and entertainment will include the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery – The Yorkshire Gunners; Haworth Home Guard; regimental displays and military military vehicles, all centred in and around the town hall.

Skipton’s monthly Farmers Market will also take place at the canal basin selling locally sourced produce from across the dales.

Skipton Town Council’s events and tourism manager, Kerry Wheelwright, said: “We’re hoping the weather is kind to us this coming weekend as Sheep Day is one of our most popular events and we have a great line-up this year, especially with the addition of Armed Forces Day celebrations.”

“This really is a true family event with something for everyone, a real flavour of the countryside and a chance to celebrate Skipton’s heritage and culture.”

Sunday’s event is due to take place from 10am to 5pm. Skipton High Street will be closed for the day, with diversions in place around the town centre. To ensure the event can go ahead safely, overnight parking will be suspended on the Saturday night – and the road will be closed from around 5am on Sunday morning.

Sheep Day is planned and organised by Skipton Town Council, with financial support from the Skipton Business Improvement District. Armed Forces Day entertainment has been organised with support from Craven District Council and the Royal British Legion Skipton Branch.For more details of the event visit the Sheep Day Facebook site at facebook.com/skiptonsheepday