RURAL traditions were showcased as those connected with the farming industry showed how to plough a field.

Westhoughton’s popular annual ploughing contest returned over the weekend bringing farmers and those connected with farming life to Brinsop Hall Farm off Manchester Road.

The yearly competition was again organised by Cllr Graham Farrington, who is a retired farmer ­— and remembers fields were ploughed using horses.

The Blackrod town councillor has revived the competition in recent years following a 50-year break.

Although tractors have replaced horses, the technique still requires plenty of skills.

Cllr Farrington said judges were looking for the creation of straight level clean furrows ­­— which is harder than it looks.

He said: “There was rain in the morning so it made ploughing more difficult.

“But some did an excellent job, no one did bad but there was some outstanding work.”

Cllr Farrington added: “The day has gone very well and we people come to watch and find out more about what was going on.

“Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves.”

He added that a number of ploughing competitions were held and were popular ­— and that he liked organising this competition has been a big part of his life.

“I remember when horses were used,” he said, “But there were no horses in the competition.”

Overall winner was Henry Taylor from Clitheroe, who until he retired was a waggon driver delivering food to farms.

He won using his pride and joy ­— a 1940 tractor in the vintage class.

Henry, aged 79, said: “I won my class and was the overall winner.

“I am very proud to have won this ­— I won a competition last week.

“I started entering ploughing competition after buying a tractor and doing it up.

“I only do competition ploughing ­— but I have been connected to the farming industry all my life.”

Money raised from the competition, through raffles, will go to supporting the work of the Bolton Mountain Rescue Service.