Barrow and District Caged Bird Society was flying high in 1995

The Barrow and District Caged Bird Association was holding its annual show - one of the area's oldest events.

SMILES: Anne Wall, of Walney, with her award for the best opposite sex in show in 1995

A variety of birds, from common or garden finches and budgerigars to the more exotic blue-winged sivias and chestnut flanked zosteropes were on display in a show that attracted exhibitors from all parts of the county.

Club secretary Bran Robinson was delighted with the show's success.

"The standard has been pretty good this year," he said, "In fact it seems to get better each year.

"There are about 30 exhibitors who have brought along more than 250 birds, which is also an improvement on last year.

AWARD: Billy Smith, winner of The Mail’s trophy for champion British bird breeder and exhibitor at the show in 1995

"But what's really encouraging is the number of junior exhibitors.

"They're the future of the hobby and it's great to see them coming along."

Barrow and Furness MP John Hutton presented trophies to the winners.

Sharon Benzie, of Dalton, won awards for best budgerigar in show and the Tyson Trophy.

"I'm really pleased to have won," she said. "Breeding budgies is a nice hobby so to win is a bonus.

"I've been breeding budgies for six years and exhibiting them for four.

CELEBRATED: Philip Hartley, of Ulverston, who had a successful show in 1995

"It's difficult to know what the judges are looking out for. There is a bit of luck involved I suppose but you also have to know what a decent bird looks like."

More than 250 birds were entered in the Barrow and District Caged Bird Association Show in 1990.

Thirty trophies were up for grabs and the show in St Paul's Church, Barrow, attracted 70 more entries than the previous year.

A new pet section was introduced to encourage juniors into the contest. It had six entrants and the winner was Ken Leach.