Breeding sheep numbers soared for Skipton Auction Mart’s Monday bank holiday fixture, with a total of 861 ewes and lambs penned for sale, and two show classes providing added interest.

Topping the trade at £218 per outfit was a pen of Mule gimmers with twin-born lambs at foot from Malcolm Gratton, Warsil.

Leading the Mule gimmers with single lambs at £210 per unit was a pen from Haverah Park father and son duo, Raymond and Robert Johnson.

Matching that price was a pen of five Texel hoggs with single lambs from Ian Manning, Worthenbury, Wrexham, who also sold his first prize pen of North of England Mule hoggs with single Texel born lambs at £190.

Texel cross gimmers with twin born lambs from Richard Umpleby, Killinghall, were in the money too securing the continental red ticket and a price tag of £195 per outfit.

The best of the Mule hoggs with singles regularly achieved £200-plus, with 36 outfits averaging £195.97.

David Smith, of Sutton-in-Craven, also caught the eye with his Texel entries, achieving two section highs with correct shearling ewes with twin lambs at £215 and others with twins at £210.