SHEEPFEST, the yearly celebration of Sedbergh's past, present and future as a wool town, attracted thousands of visitors to the Dales community.

Well-known local actress Judith Notley, portraying storyteller and sheep breeder Beatrix Potter in tweeds and Herdwick grey stockings, devoted five hours to judging the 75 sheep exhibits displayed in the town's streets and alleys.

The winner, depicting Kenneth Grahame's classic The Wind in the Willows, was created by Sedbergh History Society.

Sheepfest, now in its third year, is organised by textile arts venue Farfield Mill to celebrate the town's rich wool industry heritage.

'Book titles and characters' was this year's theme, and more than 300 school children from Sedbergh and Dent created a beautiful 'Once Upon a Time' tree with artists from Ragtag Arts and Artsense.

Each leaf was embroidered with illuminated alphabet letters, and the tree was unveiled by 'Beatrix Potter' at the Sheepfest opening ceremony, at St Andrew's Parish Church. She later displayed her weaving skills during one of the festival's many workshops.

"Sheepfest is very much a festival for the people by the people, an opportunity for thousands of visitors to get to the heart of a small Dales town," explained Anne Pierson, director of Farfield Mill.

Festival-goers were also attracted by the opportunity to see the 18-feet-high White Walker embroidery, depicting the mythical character from TV series Game of Thrones, in residence at Farfield Mill.

"Although his presence is usually responsible for blizzards and the earth freezing, it could scarcely have been a hotter weekend or a more successful one," Anne said.

"The weekend ended back in the church with an edited reading of Michael Morpurgo's Farm Boy [sequel to War Horse] interspersed with music conducted by Andrew Jackson which he had composed especially for the occasion. It was played by local musicians and caught the very essence of Sedbergh."

- The sheep trail competition continues in Sedbergh until this Sunday.