NORTHALLERTON Auctions held its annual show and sale of horned breeding sheep at Stokesley.

The show was judged by Chris Metcalfe of Bransdale who awarded first prize for ten uncrossed Swale ewes to Stuart Wood of High Wethercote Farm, Bilsdale, which later went on to sell for £47 apiece to Geoff Featherstone of Wilton near Pickering.

Other prices for uncrossed Swale ewes: £47, £42 High Wethercote, £38 Billerea, £34-50 Piethorne, £28 Ryehill.

The first prize pen of uncrossed Swaledale ewes belonging to a member of the North York Moors Quality Sheep Association, received the Moorland Association Rosebowl. It was presented on behalf of moor owners by George Winn-Darley who commented: "The Moorland Association is delighted to present this trophy to the best pen of Swaledale ewes which have been grazed on the North York Moors.

"The promotion and management of quality sheep is essential for healthy heather moorland and helps ensure the maintenance of this valuable habitat, 40pc of which has been lost in the UK since the Second World War.

"We hope this trophy now in its fourth year will help reward the best-managed flocks."

Updated: 09:53 Wednesday, October 09, 2002