The Great British Beef Week returns this year and is using the pulling power of one of the UK's top ladies tug of war teams to promote the event.

The week runs from Sunday, April 23, to Monday, May 1, and is now in its seventh year.

Organised by Ladies in Beef and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, the event aims to encourage everyone to celebrate the quality and versatility of British beef.

To help promote the event the two groups have this year roped in the Haldon Ladies’ Tug of War team, who are passionate about British beef.

The Haldon team are currently competing at the highest level in the UK, and represented England in national and international competitions in 2016.

Aged between 18 and 28, the team mainly comprises of Devon Young Farmer Club members who rigorously follow a fitness programme to improve strength to the arms, legs and core.

In the weeks leading up to the weighted competitions they stick to a strict diet that includes beef as a key protein and source of iron, to ensure they maintain their strength while reaching a target weight.

The team of ten has had a particularly successful season in 2016, due partly to the commitment of their coaches Michael Smerdon and Mark Hutchings.

As well as competing and winning medals at the British and Irish Outdoor Tug of War Championships, Devon County Show TOW competition, the Devon Young Farmers TOW, English Nationals and English Nationals league, Devon Championships and FWA Championships, four ‘pullers’ travelled to Malmo in Sweden for the World Tug of War Championships, where the members of the team pulled for England.

The team look at another busy year ahead, where they will compete at the Felton Eccles International TOW event in May, Devon YFC qualifiers in June, and the English Championships a couple weeks later in Honiton.

Team member Georgina Davie, who is also leading on the social media campaign for GBBW, said: “I think the week is a great way for those involved in British agriculture to shout about our great British-produced beef and really celebrate the nutritional benefits red meat can play as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

“GBBW champions Red Tractor assured suppliers so consumers can rely on quality and easily trace the origin of their food, from farm-to-fork.

"GBBW is a great opportunity for farmers to promote and raise awareness of the quality and versatility of great British beef.”