Swaledale of all classes averaged around the £700 mark at Harrison and Hetherington's annual show and sale of individual females at Kirkby Stephen, last week, where a top price of £2600 was achieved for a gimmer from I Collinson, Billingshield.

She sold scanned for a single lamb, to J Nattrass, Shield Hill Top, Garrigill.

Second top price was £2000 paid for the first prize conformation ewe from R Dalton, South Wellhope, purchased by PE Staley.

The champion, a ewe carrying twins from Stanley and Pat Brogden and son Thomas, Helbeck, Brough, made £1600 to B Acton, Maythorn, Leyburn, while the reserve, a ewe hogg shown by Andrew Skidmore, Flakebridge, Tebay, realised £1200 to T Bousfield, Fieldham House, Brough. It was offered in aid of Cancer Research UK in memory of the late Ken Slack.

Overall, gimmers averaged £695.83, with ewes at £666.67 and ewe hoggs at £680.00.

LEADING prices

Gimmers – £2600, £800, £550 Billing Shield Farm; £2,000, £300 South Wellhope; £500 Flakebridge; £500, £250 Crowden House; £250, £200 The Villa; £250, £150 Lainger House.

Ewes – £1600,£1000 Helbeck; £900, £700, £550 Crowden House; £600 (x2), £400 South Wellhope; £650, £400 Flakebridge; £450 Billing Shield; £150 Lainger House.

Ewe hoggs – £1200 Flakebridge; £750 Lainger House; £650 Mount Pleasant.