A FESTIVE show with a difference has been held in York - with a Christmas fatstock show and sale.

The event, to showcase the top fattened-up livestock for Christmas, was held at York Livestock Centre in Murton on Monday, for cattle and sheep.

The show and sale for pigs will be held next Monday.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Charles Hall, attended to award prizes and enjoy the shows and sales.

One of the creatures was designated the 'Lord Mayor's Beast', with half the funds from its sale being donated to the Lord Mayor's charities.

"It's been very successful, the ringside was full, and its been a popular day," said a spokeswoman for the centre.

"The average price for the cattle is 100p per kilo, but we reached an amazing 240p for the top heifer, the supreme champion of the show, which raked in £1,293 for its owner.

"Now all the animals will be on their way to the butchers to be prepared for Christmas."

A Belgian Blue cross steer from John Peckitt, of Coxwold, eventually took the Don Hopwood Memorial Trophy for overall champion, and went on to make 240p per kilo before being knocked down to David Wilson Family Butchers, of Huntington.

The Champion Sheep Trophy went to Brian Robinson, of Ouseburn, for £77, being bought by Stephen Hibberd of Doncaster.

Other results are as follows:

Don Hopwood Memorial Trophy for Overall Champion presented to H Peckitt & Son;

York Livestock Centre Silver Salver for Reserve Champion presented to J P Towse & Sons;

David Streeton Champion Heifer Trophy presented to H Peckitt & Son;

R F H Stephenson Young Bull Trophy presented to J P Towse & Son;

Ron Holgate Trophy for Champion Home-bred Animal presented to T P & E A Clayton;

The York Livestock Centre Cup for the Champion Pen of Sheep presented to B & C Robinson;

The Theakston Challenge Cup for the Champion Pen of Suffolk X Lambs presented to M & E Hall.

Updated: 12:20 Wednesday, December 10, 2003