RESIDENTS did not need to be rounded up, they turned out in droves for the 60th annual Sheep Dog Trials.

The two-day event was held at Sutton Hall Farm last weekend.

The biggest in the area with 65 entrants and over 115 dogs taking part in 170 runs before the championship, organisers were keeping their fingers crossed for good weather.

Association secretary Peter Middleton said: "They went very well indeed and were very well attended.

"We had two days of perfect weather as it was not too hot for the dogs, but it didn't rain It was very exciting."

There were two full days of action with the championship being run on Saturday which was won by Gus Dermody and his dog Tia.

Well-known on the circuit, Gus also commentates on BBC programme One Man and His Dog and also commentated for the trials all weekend before taking to the field himself.

There were many other excellent competitors, several of them locals who have competed in national and international trials and also appeared on One Man and his Dog.

However, the event was not just for the older more accomplished generations as there were two classes for young handlers - the future of the sport.

This event did not just cater for those who love their pet pooches as there was a fiercely contested Tug of War competition, strictly for humans, and the Tegg's Nose Fell Race (six-and-a-half miles).

For the second consecutive year, there was a junior race around the field for the under tens and the under 15s.

Both competitors and visitors were very well fed and watered as there was also a bar and barbecue.

Other attractions included stick dressing, wool spinning, corn dolly making, dry stonewalling, small animals and rare breeds for children, an art exhibition, a static display of owls and hawks, a 'guess the weight' competition as well as various other stands and a big raffle.

On Friday, the association's patron Sir Nicholas Winterton and his wife Lady Winterton dropped in to have a taste of the action, and Macclesfield Mayor Councillor Barry Burkhill and Mayoress Sue Bidwell visited the trials.

To round off the event, there was an evening of music and laughter with a concert in the marquee.

Peter added: "It was excellent and entertainers played to a capacity crowd. The main performers were two comedians and a musician who played a few instruments.

"It was a great success. Everyone really enjoyed themselves."