TRADITIONS run deep in the Lake District and today, deep in the heart of the county, a plethora were to be found celebrated in all their glory.

For generations people have flocked to the Lakeland Country Fair, held every year in Torver, near Coniston.

From grandparents to babies in buggies, families time and again turn out in droves to see the proud heritage of The Lakes on display.

Just some of the entertainments put on at the fair were fell running, dog shows and traditional Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling.

However, one of the largest crowds of the day was not drawn by a sheepdog trial, or even the tug-of-war contest fiercely fought over by young farmers.

It was a display of duck herding.

Chrissy Bradley, of the Lake District Sheepdog Experience, oversaw the show, explaining to the crowd just how an expertly-trained sheepdog was able to corral five troublesome ducks.

Speaking afterwards, she said: "Today we were trying to demonstrate the skill of the sheepdog, in other shows we can make it a bit more comical, with people having a go.

"But, at a traditional country show like this, we try to show how the dog handles livestock."

Two dogs, 12-year-old Fox and seven-and-a-half-year-old Tess were put through their paces, guiding a brace of ducks through gates, tunnels and over a bridge."

Near to the dog pens, large crowds congregated around a rough, muddy square as men young and old squared up to take part in the wrestling event.

Teams from as far away as Iceland had come to compete, with some of the locals warily eyeing up the bearded men from the north.

Thomas Brocklebank, 32, fresh from a round in the ring, said he had been coming to the show and wrestling since he could remember.

He said: "I've come since I was a young boy, my granddad and my dad wrestled. It's just good craic, but there is a lot of technique to it, using your skill and strength."

For those wanting a slightly less strenuous time at the fair there was huge range of local food and drink to enjoy. Glasses of ale and Pimms were drunk in equal amounts as spectators watched some of the many dog shows put on.

Among this year's winning owners, Steve and Laura Tunnicliffe, came from Kendal to win the judge's 'Most Want to Take Home' prize.

Their seven-year-old Siberian husky, Teeko, took home the champion's rosette, Mrs Tunnicliffe remarking: "It's just good fun; this is our first time entering."