Texel rams from Procters Farm, led the way at the Northern Area two-day show and sale at Skipton, securing the championship and several of the top prices.

Sale leader at 2500gns was the champion winner, Procters Calypso, from Procters Farm's base at Wennington, Lancaster, brought out by flockmasters Jeff and Jennifer Aiken. A son of the 100,000gns Sportsman Batsman, out of a home-bred ewe by a Procters sire he sold to Lanarkshire breeders Robert Templeton, of Tartan Texels, and Robert Leggate, Silverigg, Strathaven.

The same home also topped the shearling rams and sold the second top priced lot at 2200gns. This was paid for their second prize winner at the pre-sale show, Tatham Hall Batman, a son of the 9000gns Thrunton Younique out of a Scrogtonhead U Stoater-sired dam. He was knocked down to local breeder David Towell, who runs the Moor Top flock on Glusburn Moor.

Another Younique shearling from Procters realised 2000gns with their consignment of 13 averaging £1299.

The first prize shearling ram and reserve overall, Wellingley Boss from Peter and Liz Longdin's Wellingley flock from Wellingley Grange, Tickhill, Doncaster, realised 1700gns to D Birkhill, Driffield. He is by the Midlock Striker son, Wellingley Whisky Galore, and out of a home-bred dam by Newbie Mains Winston.

Richard Wilson, from Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, received 2000gns for his third prize shearling, Crimple Head Belter, a son of Roxburgh YMCA, out of a dam by Procters Pay As You Go. The buyers were T and J Moran, Nappa.

Top price amongst the females was 1100gns paid twice to include the section champion, a gimmer from Sam and Sarah Beachell, of the Samsar flock at Beswick Hall, near Driffield. She is by Drumgooland Adam and sold to J and JC Ashbridge and Son, from Thirsk.

Also making 1100gns was a gimmer from Peter Woof's Stainton flock from Kendal, purchased by JT Cunningham, Ayrshire. She is by Knock Yankee.

Averages: Gimmers £363.05; ewe lambs £246.75; shearling rams £740.12; ram lambs £388.13 (£402.34).