A TEXEL lamb from JD Hetherington and Son, Blue Dial, secured the overall championship at an annual show and sale of prime spring lambs at Cockermouth, where the new season lamb ring saw an increase in buyers and outlets forward.

While the sale averaged 261.79p per kg, the champion lamb, which tipped the scales at 48kg later topped the trade when it sold for £166 or 354.80p to Haighs Butchers, Workington.

Reserve champion was a similar lamb weighing 47kg from Molly Park, Seaview, which made £146.

Among the prime hoggs, trade reached 225.9p and £122 for Texels from Stephney.

LEADINGawards:

Open – 1 and champion, JD Hetherington and Son, Blue Dial, £166; 2, Julie Wilson, Meadow Farm, £146; 3, G Gate, Hollins Farm £134.

Primary school class – 1, Miss Rosie McMullen, Moor Platt Farm, £135; 2, Master Freddie and Rory, Grange Grassings, £120; 3, Master Matthew Clark, Fangs Brow, £103.

Secondary school class – 1 and reserve champion, Molly Park, Seaview, £146; 2, Master Jack Scott, Bleabank, £132

LEADINGprices:

Prime lambs – Per kg – Tex – 345.8p, 296.3p Blue Dial; 328.9p, 292.1p, 289.5p Holmecroft; 321.4p Moor Platt;310.6p Meadow Farm; 310.6p, 302.2p Seaview; 297.8p Hollins; 288.5p Mid Farm. Char – 261.5p Birks Farm. Suff – 284p Greenbank Close; 260p Woodend; 257.1p Branthwaite Edge; 252.2p Croft House; 250p Ryhola Meadow.

Per head – Tex– 166p, 160p, 138p, 132p, 131p Blue Dial; 150p Croftfield House; 146p, 136p Seaview; 146p Meadow Farm; 140p West Farm; 135p Moor Platt; 134p Hollins; 134p Branthwaite Edge; 132p Bleabank. Suff – 142p Greenbank Close; 114p, 113p Hemplands; 113.50p Croft House. Char – 103.50p Birksfarm.