A STOW farmer has been given the chairmanship of a major Cotswold show.

Steve Parkes, 67, will take over the reins of the Moreton Show.

Mr Parkes has worked in farming and agriculture for more than 50 years and is one of the country's leading breeders of the rare Cotswold lion sheep, which is famed for its golden fleece.

He said: "It’s a great honour to be chairman of Moreton Show. I feel really proud to be part of such an historic countryside show that’s at the heart of Cotswolds agriculture.

"Farming has been my life and through working with Moreton Show I’m able to help promote farming and farmers.

"British agriculture is a great industry and at Moreton Show we work hard to connect our visitors with the wonderful food that’s produced in this country."

Mr Parkes has previously worked for Princess Anne and his sheep received the royal seal of approval from Prince Charles.

He was farm manager on Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Estate, looking after White Park cattle and Wiltshire Horn Sheep.

His sheep met Prince Charles on his visit to Northleach in 2016 and they have appeared on BBC One’s Countryfile with Adam Henson and on C4’s Hidden Villages with Penelope Keith.

Last year, one of his sheep won Champion of Any Native Breed at the Royal Berkshire Show.

He has been visiting the Moreton Show for more than 35 years and his wife Lynne Parkes is treasurer and livestock secretary for the show.

His vice-chairman for the next two years will be arable farmer, Ed Hicks from Barton-on-the-Heath.

This year’s Moreton Show, Britain’s biggest one-day agricultural show, is on Saturday, September 2, more details at www.moretonshow.co.uk