Entrants in the sheep section at this year's Royal Cornwall Show on June 10, 11 and 12 will have a new trophy to compete for.

To be known as the Roseland Perpetual Cup, it will be awarded to the champion Lleyn and has been provided by Gill and John Adams, of Ruan High Lanes.

It was Gill's victory in the competition last year that led to them donating the trophy - a sterling silver chalice. It was her first time at any show and the ewe she took was the only one available but she wanted to support the classes so she entered. Coming away with the breed champion was the last thing she expected. She was also presented with a commemorative plate.

"When the idea of a trophy was raised at the West Country Lleyn Sheep Club, we were the ones to put our hands up," said Gill.

She and John went off to Truro to buy the elegant trophy, which dates back to the 1930s.

There's a practical motive behind their generosity. Gill said: "I think it will help to attract even more entrants this year because people would like to win the cup."

There is a new class in the commercial sheep section at this year's show - for a pen of two commercial cross-bred shearling ewes, unlambed or without lambs at foot.

The new class was added at the suggestion of Robin James, who farms at Feock, near Truro. He has seen similar classes operating at shows around the country and believes it will be a draw at the Royal Cornwall.

"This class would be attractive to anyone with a commercial flock who keeps back their shearling ewes and would like to have a go," he said. "I have discussed it with one or two and I hope there will be a number who will consider it as another class to enter."

Anything to encourage showing is to be welcomed by Robin. He said: "You meet a lot of nice people and feel a lot more involved in the show."