Buyers from as far north as Caithness, down to Wiltshire and Devon, were forward for the annual show and sale of Mule ewe lambs sold through Mitchells Auction Mart, Cockermouth, where the entry of 10,645 head sold to average £90.31 with North of England Mule ewe lambs lambs levelling at £90.91.
Top price was £320 paid for the champion pen from the first prize large breeders section, from AG and KF Nicholson, Swinside End.
The Nicholsons enjoyed the best trade selling 518 lambs to average £120.45.
The second prize large pen, from S Allan and Sons, Greenhow, scooped the reserve honours and sold for £220 per head.
A black Texel ewe lamb from TA Bowe, Sunningdale, Frizington, topped the Lakeland sale of store and ewe lambs, selling for £126 to A Fell, Stockhill Kennels.
The entry of 6200 head, saw store lambs sell to £80.50 for Beltex lambs from AJ Wood, Woodhall Brow, Dean.

LEADING awards:

Small breeders – North of England Mules – 1, GL Hutton, Setmabanning, £132; 2, P Sowerby, Langton Field, £110; 3, JR and JA Wharton, Segbushwell, £142.
Large breeders – 1 and champion, AG and KF Nicholson, Swinside End, £320; 2 and reserve, S Allan and Sons, Greenhow, £220; 3 and 4, Messrs Folder, Wescoe, £210 and £205; 5, Swinside End, £240.
Pairs – 1, Swinside End,£185.

LEADING prices:

Ewe lambs – Mule – £320, £240, £225, 205, £190, £185, £170, Swinside End; £220, Greenhow Farm; £210, £205 Wescoe Farm; £175, Terrace Farm; £170 Stockhow Hall. Chev Mule – £94, £89, £85 Cragg House Farm; £92 Strudda Bank. Tex – £126, £118, Sunningdale; £120, £118, £108, £100, Hill Green; £114 (x2), £100 Terrace Farm. Hb – £84 Strudda Bank.
Store lambs – Belt – £80.50, £80 Woodhall Brow; £69, Eirinntalla; £69 Hollin Head. Tex – £78, £70 Terrace Farm; £77 Dovenby Craggs and Tortolocate; £74 Low Priorscales; £73 Whinnerah; £70 Beck Farm. Suff – £63, £60.50 (x2) Low Garth; £62 Fairfield. Chev – £59.50 Green Close; £59 Lanefoot; £58 (x2) Cragg House; £54 Low Kinmont. Tex X Herd – £56.50, £49 Ponsonby. Old Hall £52 £48 Noran Bank £51 Stubbs Ghyll Swale – £35 Scalderskew; £35 The Globe.