BELTEX lambs from MH Elliot, Espland House, proved to be the star attraction at Penrith and District Farmers' Mart's Christmas prime sheep show and sale last week, when they stood champion and topped the sale at £140 apiece or 286p per kg.

Judge, M Bowe, tapped out the pen of five as champion before buying them on behalf of

of Cocklakes Farm Shop, Troutbeck, Penrith.

Taking the reserve honours was the second prize pen to the champion, a pen of Beltex from R Hall and Sons, Inglewood Edge.

In all, 3166 prime lambs cashed in at 182p, with 487 lambs selling between 200p and 286p.

Sold on the same day was 763 cast ewes and rams which peaked at £124 for a pair of Beltex ewes from T Mackenzie, Inverness.

LEADINGawards:

Prime lambs – Bel – 1, MH Elliott, Espland House; 2, R Hall and Sons, Inglewood Edge. Tex –

MH Elliott, Espland House; 2, MTP and SD Wills, Fawcett Park. Suff – TS Macdonald, Hammershields. Swale – MTP and SD Wills, Fawcett Park. Chev – MTP and SD Wills, Fawcett Park; 2, S Harrison, Aimshaugh. Mule – 1, Messrs Smith, Kelmore Hills Farm; 2, TE Clark, Howgill Castle. Scotch – JM and MA Dawson, Greystone House; 2, TW Ewart, Barkbeth.