Farmers went head-to-head to dig the dirt as they pitted ploughing talent gathered over decades on tractors dating back generations.

Furrowing techniques were scrutinised amid the scenic splendour of the Cumbrian countryside at an event that also raised cash for good causes.

Held at Allerby Hall, in Aspatria, the event saw farmers from across Cumbria - as well as the north east, Lancashire and Scotland - score points for the quality and precision of their ploughing.

As well as the competitive match, there were also ploughing demonstrations from teams north of the border as well as a push pull plough from Ayrshire.

"There were about 37 people in total taking part," Ian Tordiff, one of the organisers, told The Cumberland News.

"It's always popular; we've got farmers from Cumbria taking part.

"But they also come from West Lothian in Scotland, up from near Preston and across from the north east."

Now in its 11th year, this year's ploughing match saw competitors raise money for causes inspired by two Cumbrian youngsters.

To date, the annual ploughing match has raised around £23,000 which has been donated to various local causes.

A portion of the funds will be donated to Jack's Journey - a charity set up by the family of two-year-old Jack Gibson, from Flimby, who was diagnosed with leukaemia last April.

Funds raised by the charity will be used to help children in a similar position.

Money will also be donated to Chris and Jenny Hird, from Aspatria, whose young son Danny was born deaf and requires cochlear implants.

"We don't know the final amount but we've raised more than £2,000," Ian added.

"So the families will be getting more than £1,000 each, which we're really pleased about.

"We always try to donate the money to local people."

The match sees competitors take part in a number of different ploughing categories and they are assessed by a team of judges.

"Each group scores points," Ian explained.

"The traditional plough, for example, was won by two local lads from Bothel, who scored 123 points and the lads that came scored 117 points.

"They're judged on the straightness and neatness of the ploughing and other things as well."

Chris and Jenny, who are both local farmers, said they were approached by members of the community who offered to hand over some of the money raised from the ploughing match.

"At first we said no," Jenny said. "We said that there were probably other children out there who were more deserving.

"But on a visit to the hospital we found out how much the cochlear implants cost and to be honest, everyone was really keen to help us out."

Danny, who is 17 months old,requires the implants to be able to hear.

"He can hear speech but not things like background noise," Jenny explained.

"From now on he's going to need things like television streamers and phone streamers to be able to hear.

"When he goes to school he's also going to need a microphone, so the costs all begin to add up.

"We're going to need to keep up with the technology that's out there."

She added: "Danny absolutely loved it. We're farmers ourselves so he's tractor-daft anyway but he loved watching them.

"We're really grateful for the support we've had from everyone."