A year-long search for the original trophies from a community show has paid off, just weeks before its return.

The Durham City Show is being brought back after a 15-year hiatus, heralding the return of the longest carrot award and plaudits for the "rudest vegetable or vegetable disaster" among a string of categories hailing fruits, flowers, crafters and bakers.

"They are part of the show's heritage, and it's great they can again be part of our celebration of the talents within our community," said show committee chair Benedict Douglas.

As part of the hunt, Durham County Council's heritage venues operations manager, Rob King, had scoured the county archives and collections – even investigating a rumour the trophies were kept in a trunk in the town hall dungeon.

But, unbeknown to the committee, the trophies had initially been stored in the attic of former councillor Peter Thompson, who was the last chair of the show.

Unaware the show was planning to return, Thompson had donated them to Cheesy Waffles, where they had been kept in a store-cupboard.

Fortunately the charity was delighted to return them so they can once again take centre stage at the revived Durham City Show.

Thompson said he was "absolutely ecstatic" the show was being revived.

"For me, the significance of horticultural shows is related to the mining community," the 82-year-old said.

"A lot of miners found relief by having allotments. And then from that, there was an element of competition entered into the arena.

"It will enable us to reflect upon how shows were so popular in the past as a result of our history and mining communities."

The trophies are currently being restored ahead of being awarded to winners on 13 September.

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