THE judge, Stephen Wilson of Wilson Family Butchers, Corby Hill, backed his decision and bought his choice of cattle champion at Mitchells Livestock Auctions' Christmas show and sale of 104 prime cattle and 500 prime lambs at Cockermouth.

This was a 538kg Limousin cross heifer from JM and SM Priestley, Cracrop, which made 440p per kg or £2367.20.

A British Blue cross heifer scaling 605kg from Alice Skelton, Low House, scooped the reserve honours and made 320p or £1936 to G Chapman.

More than 80 pairs and pens of lambs were forward for the sheep judge, S Cowin, Dunbia, Preston, who presented the top ticket to a pair of Texels from RE Miller, West Farm. They weighed in at 51kg and realised £140 to Haighs butchers of Workington.

Runner up was a Beltex duo from M Stockdale, Crosshow, which passed the weighbridge at 44kg and made £120.

Champion young handler was Rebecka Marrs (5), Elva Plain, who won with a black Beltex lamb at 45kg that later sold for £148 to Vivers Scot Lamb.

LEADINGawards

Haltered heifers – Lim – 1, JM and SM Priestley, Cracrop, 440p, £2367.50; 2, Emma Skelton, Low House, 255p, £1703.40. BB – Alice Skelton, Low House, 320p, £1936.00. Any other Cont – 1, E Skelton, Low House, 310p, £1897.20.

Unhaltered – Steers –Lim – 1, Messrs Bowe, Bothel Parks, 225p, £1512.00; 2, T Pearson and Son, High Plaskett Lands, 260p, £1570.40; 3, P and PI Walker and Son, Beechcroft, 218p, £1597.94. BB – 1, High Plaskett Lands, 222p, £1349.76; 2, JG and M Little, Greenhill, 202p, £1090.80. Any other Cont – 1, RB Jackson, Croft House, 215p, £1440.50. Native – Low House, 232p, £1299.20.

Heifers – Lim – Light – 1, RE Miller, West Farm, 280p, £1542.80; 2, L Skelton and Son, Low House, 250p, £1390.00; 3, High Plaskett Lands, 255p, £1384.65. Med – 1, 2 and 3, JJ Crichton, Loughrigg, 285p, £1681.50; 280p, £1604.40 and 270p, £1590.30. Heavy – 1, Loughrigg, 220p, £1639.00; 2, High Plaskett Lands, 240p, £1584.00; 3, BW Hewitson, Shatton Lodge Farm, 210p, £1392.30. BB – 1, 2 and 3, L Skelton and Son, Low House, 240p, £1658.40;

235p, £1654.40 and 228p, £1591.44. Any other Cont – 1 and 2, Low House, 215p, £1505.00 and 230p, £1449.00; 3, J and D Hodgson, Parsonage, 210p, £1491.00. Native – 1, Low House, 280p,£1372.00.

Lambs – Pairs – Tex – 1, RE Miller, West Farm, £140; 2, Mounsey, Wardhall Guards, £128; 3, A Gill, Newlands Farm, £91. Belt – 1, M Stockdale, Crosshow Farm, £120; 2, S and JL Sanderson, Swallowdene, £140; 3,WS Jackson, Nook Farm, £110. Any other Cont – 1, J and K Meadley, High Bewaldeth, £82; 2, J Mounsey and Son, Grange Farm, £84; 3, GS and B Barwise, Bell House, £72.

Pens of five – Suff – 1 and 2, RB Jackson, Croft House, £76 and £72; 3, GW Hird, Westray Farm, £78. Mules – 1, W and M Nixon, Bridekirk Hall, £72; 2, Messrs Folder, Wescoe, £76; 3, JF Bowe and Sons, Calvo, £75. Swaledales – 1 and 2, A Gill, Newlands, £70 and £62; 3, RJ and AY Armstrong, £68. Herdwick – 1, WS Jackson, Nook Farm, £70; 2, D Richardson, Howe Gill, £66; 3, D and J Wilson, Anns Cottage, £60. Cont X out of hill ewes – 1, A and L Gott, Prospect House, £72; 2, E Barwise, Bell House, £61; 3, D Richardson, Howe Gill, £72.50.

Young handlers – 12-16yrs – Single lamb – 1, Stuart Mounsey, Grange Farm, £165; 2, Ben Park, Nook Farm, £135. 11yrs – 1, Christopher Gott, Prospect House, £145; 2, Freddie Walker, Beechcroft, £124; 3, Kate Sewell, Mayfield Farm, £140. Eight years and under – 1, Rebecka Marrs, Elva Plain, £148; 2, Adam Gott, Prospect House, £130; 3, Emily Meadley, High Bewaldeth, £101.