AN in-lamb gimmer from Ian and Bernadette Collinson, Biling Shields, stood overall champion before selling for the top price of £2600 at last week's show and sale of Swaledale females at Kirkby Stephen.

The entry from the Collinson's 650-ewe flock at Eastgate, Bishop Auckland, is a home-bred daughter of an £11,000 Intake tup from Mark Ewbank's flock near Middlesmuir, Harrogate, a tup which has bred sons to £6000.

Having stood second in her class at Stanhope, this gimmer sold carrying a pair to a Bull and Cave sire to Alan Bainbridge, Owlands Farm, Hirst, Richmond.

The reserve champion, a ewe hogg from John Bland, Crowden House, Glossop, made £2000 when sold to John Tully, Burncroft, Eggleston, who judged the pre-sale show along with R Lancaster, Brackenbarrow, Torver, Cumbria.

Matching that price was a ewe from Geoff and Carol Marwood's Long Green flock from Barningham, North Yorkshire. Buyer here was WJ Porter, Summer Lodge, Richmond.

Overall averages saw gimmers cash in to average £966.67 (-£144.76 on the year), with ewes at £955 (+£75) and ewe hoggs at £580.10 (+£13.43).

LEADINGprices:

Gimmers – £2600 Billing Shield Farm; £1500, £1200, £1000 Flakebridge Farm; £1000, £900 Crowden House Farm; £1000 Long Green.

Ewes – £2000, £800 Long Green; £1600, £1200 Helbeck Farm; £1400 Oakbank Farm; £1200, £800 Thwaite Bridge.

Ewe hoggs – £2000 Crowden House Farm; £1400, £1300 Long Green; £600 Mount Pleasant Farm.

Auctioneers: Kirkby Stephen