SHIRE horses from mid Cheshire will be competing in the world’s largest shire horse event this spring.

Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre is taking three horses to this year’s National Championships in Grantham at the end of the month.

The championships are hosted by The Shire Horse Society, the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the breed.

Ben More, who competed in last year’s show, will represent Cotebrook along with fillies Carrie and Brandy.

The event has proven to be very successful for Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre as they have been awarded with several National Championships and their Super Premium Stallion, Moorfield Edward, has frequently won the Progeny Cup for fathering the most number of winners at the show.

Alistair and Janet King, who run the centre on the A49 near Tarporley, will be showing the horses over the two-day event, which attracts thousands of visitors and hundreds of Shires, expertly presented and dressed in their traditional glory.

Janet said: “The show is always lively and exciting to take part in.

“It is a spectacular weekend of family entertainment with so many magnificent Shires being paraded around and is a great day out for animal lovers.

“The day can be educational as visitors can expect to learn about the Shires, their breeders and the hard work which goes into preserving this historic breed.”