averages: 94 in-lamb ewes, £458.65; 60 in-lamb gimmers, £615.48; 17 ewe lambs, £751.28.

SUFFOLK females forward at Beeston Castle, last Saturday, attracted a large crowd and drew bidding from all over the UK and from Belgium, where no fewer than 20 sheep sold at four-figure prices, with a lead price of 3200gns paid for the best from the Cairness flock.

Sale leader was a second prize ewe from Jimmy Douglas, who runs his flock near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire. A daughter of Thurston Fergie and due to lamb in January with twins to Cloontagh Chieftain, she sold to Messrs Sinnett, Worcester.

Next best at 2800gns was the reserve champion, judged by Myfyr Evans of the Rhaeadr flock, Denbigh, Wales. That was a gimmer by Rolex from Bryden Nicolson's Knockem flock based at Duns. She sold carrying twins to the 21,000gns 2017 national champion, Lakeview Bob, to D and A Callan, Talbenny, Haverfordwest.

The dispersal of Robert Holmes' Willmar flock at Dunchideock, Devon, proved popular when their best sold for 2100gns. Selling to S Sufferin, Maghera, Co Londonderry, was the Holmes' first prize gimmer at this year's Royal Bath and West Show, a daughter of Donbraid Devil, carrying twins to Solwaybank Rooster.

Also in the money for Willmar was a two-crop Ballynacanon bred ewe by Bacarsi and carrying twins due in mid-January. She sold for 2050gns to Mark Priestley for his Limestone flock at Downpatrick, Co Down.

The same home stood champion with a three-crop ewe by Strathbeg Sea The Stars and also topped the ewe lamb trade at 1550gns with a January-born daughter of Solwaybank Rooster, which stood four prize in the pre-sale show. She was purchased by I Barbour, Annan.

Auctioneers: Wright Marshall