Texel gimmers from Robert Forsyth's select Baltier flock from Whithorn, led the way at the Solway and Tyne female sale, staged the night before the ram sale at Carlisle, producing three of the top four highest prices lots.

Dearest at 9500gns was an ET gimmer bred from Castlecairn-bred female by Knock Powerpacker, that has bred sons to 6500gns and gimmers to 5500gns. Reserve champion at Wigtown Show, this Garngour Upperclass-sired female was knocked down to Mike and Melanie Alford who run just a handful of pedigree ewes in their flock based at Foxhill Farm, Cullompton, Devon.

Her full ET sister made 3000gns selling to Northern Ireland breeders, D Simpson, The Willows, Ballyclare, Co Antrim and D Warwick, Whappstown Road, Moorfields, Ballymena.

Archie and John MacGregor, Allanfauld, Kilsyth, bought the second top priced lot at 5000gns. Another Baltier gimmer by Garngour Upperclass, she is bred from a home-bred ewe by Baltier Rocksolid that has produced gimmers to 2800gns and tup lambs to 3500gns.

Donald and Ross MacPherson's small Hexel flock from Castlehills, Berwick Upon Tweed, was another to come up with goods selling a gimmer to Jim Innes, Dunscroft, Huntly, for 3800gns. Second in her class at the pre-sale show, she is by Drumpark Unique and out of a ewe by Glenside Razzle Dazzle.

Top priced ewe lamb at 1600gns was Richard Wilson's lead entry from the Eden Valley flock from Low Field, Appleby, purchased by REJ Pierce, Oldfields, Pulford, Chester. Third in her class, she is by Knock Yankee and out of a ewe by Anglezarke Uno that is a full sister to the 4000gns Eden Valley William Wallace.

Averages: 69 gimmers, £961.43 (-£116.43 for 16 fewer); 18 ewe lambs, £613.08