DERBYSHIRE Cheviot breeder, James Burton, Ilamtops Farm, Ashbourne, made his presence felt at a female sale at Lockerbie, last weekend, buying the three lead priced lots.

The event, which witnessed improved averages in all three sections, attracted a lead price of £3200, paid for the first prize ewe hogg from Keith Stones' Nun Cote flock from Marrick, Richmond. Champion at last year's Masham Sheep Fair and a member of the supreme group of three and second at the English National Show, this entry is by the Allanshaws Pedro son, Kinaldy Krugerrand.

Mr Burton's next two purchases at £2200 and £1800 were both consigned by Innes Graham, Carruthers, Waterbeck, Lockerbie. The former, which also stood second in the park gimmer class, is by Ericstane Rigwelter, and sold carrying a pair to Hill Top Tommy, while the £1800 lot was a hill-type gimmer.

A cracking pen of gimmers from Mr Graham also attracted £1400 for the reserve champion park-type and £1100. The reserve winner, a gimmer by Gilston Rebus and again carrying twins to Hill Top Tommy, was champion at Moffat Show last year, and was knocked down to MR Thomas, Knowle, Presteigne, Powys.

Another the same way bred and again in lamb to Tommy, made £1100 to J Stevens, Leason, Llanrhidian, Gower, Swansea.

Mr Stevens also bought the park-type champion, a gimmer from Jimmy and William Thomson, Hownam Grange, Kelso, by Durran Peebles. She sold carrying triplets to a Gilston sire.

The last of the four-figure prices came for a gimmer by Humbleheugh Quantum, from Ritchie Strawhorn's Broomhillbank flock at Lockerbie. Shropshire breeder, M Davies, Pikesend, Ellesmere, forked out the cash for this entry carrying twins to Synton Toronto.

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.