A BRITISH Blue bull from Bernard Simpson, Pateley Bridge, proved the star attraction at Skipton Auction Mart's sale of breeding cattle, when it sold for 4900gns.

The five-year-old bull, Littlebank Isaac, which was bred by Richard and Wendy Maudsley at Rathmell, Settle, was bought by Mr Simpson as a three-year-old for 3300gns when it stood supreme champion at Skipton's annual Blue Wednesday show and sale. By the Belgian AI sire, Imperial De 'Ecluse, he is out of the Gitan du Ptit Mayeur daughter, Littlebank Diva – one of the Maudsley's best breeding lines which has bred bulls to 9000gns.

He sold back to Rathmell with Frankland Farms.

Limousin bulls sold to 2600gns for a 2016-born pure-bred from John Richardson's Laverock herd at Laverock Bridge, Kendal, while Charolais bulls peaked at 2400gns for a similar aged bull from R and D Ashworth of the Stoneyland herd at Blackrod, Bolton.

On the same day, the firm sold 113 beef breeding cattle which saw all cross-bred entries sell well into four figures. They reached £2650 for British Blue cross heifers with heifer at calves at foot, while others with either Limousin cross heifers or bull calves sold to £2400.

Among the store cattle, the best of them easily maintained trade on the fortnight when bullocks hit a top of £1250 for Aberdeen-Angus from Martin Tyrson, Skyreholme, while five Limousin crosses from Andy Rigby, Slaidburn, topped the heifers at £1480.

A large entry of 66 beef cows met a fast selling trade when they sold to £1300 for a Limousin cross from Ned Simpson, Pateley Bridge, to average £930.46.