A PEEBLES show is back for its 30th competition after an avian flu outbreak forced organisers to cancel last year’s event.

Peebles Poultry and Bantam Club is laying plans for its largest show yet, with entrants set to flock to Tweeddale from across the UK.

The show will open its doors to the public on Sunday, February 25, at Walkershaugh Community Centre in Peebles.

More than 190 classes of large fowl, bantams, waterfowl, utility, rare breeds, turkeys and rescue hens will be on display, with more than 65 trophies to be won, along with the best of breed rosettes and breed club specials.

This year will see the first-ever regional championship egg show incorporated into the event, with more than 40 egg classes and special rosettes for the best 12, six and three single eggs. 

Awards will also be handed out for the best large fowl eggs, best bantams eggs, best waterfowl and best contents. 

There will also be a new range of egg classes for junior and juvenile hens.

If that wasn’t enough to get in a flap about, there’s also poultry photography and artwork classes, a public auction, plus home baking on offer.

Hazel Dickson, secretary and treasurer of the show, told the Peeblesshire News: “We plan to make this year our best yet, with some special features to mark the occasion.

“The show remains the biggest one day show of poultry and waterfowl in Scotland, and we have exhibitors entering from around the country, including England and Ireland.

“We’ve also secured very precious Poultry Club of Great Britain affiliation for the egg show - one of the first in the scotland to do so. This gives the egg show unprecedented recognition.”

The club have overhauled their health and safety following last year’s outbreak of Avian Flu, which placed restrictions across the country. The restrictions were lifted last summer.

“We accepted the need to cancel the show last year but we’re back with renewed enthusiasm ready for next month’s show. 

“We’ve liaised carefully with other Poultry Clubs, Shows and the Poultry Club of Great Britain to implement all the necessary biosecurity recommendations.”

Entries for the show close on Friday, February 2. 

Schedules and entry forms are available on Facebook group Peebles Poultry Club or by emailing peeblespoultryclub@live.co.uk