Dumfries-shire consignor, John Jardine, Yett, Lockerbie, secured the championship ticket and top price at C and D Auction Marts' annual show and sale of Blackface hoggs at Longtown.

His pen, selected by the judge, Jimmy Blenchorn, scaled 54kg per head and realised £125.

Overall, 4316 prime hoggs and 2721 cast ewes and rams were forward for the weekly prime sale which with 33% of the old season lamb entry being on the heavy side, saw averages slip 5p per kg on the week to level at 236.1p with an SQQ of 238.9p.

Top prices were 334p per kg paid for Beltex from M Dunlop, Corstane, Broughton, Biggar, or £172 per head for Texel and Suffolk hoggs from Highfield Farming, Knock, Duns.

Ewes and rams averaged £93.60 overall and produced a new centre record of £210 for Texel ewes from Seymour Farms, Seymour House, Wigton. Greyface ewes sold to £131 from Millantae Farms, Lockerbie and hill ewes peaked at £111 for Blackfaces from Wanwood Partners, Alston and for Cheviots from G and L White, Howden, Selkirk.

Charollais from Beckfoot led the rams at £188.

LEADING awards

Blackface hoggs – Up to 39kg – 1, Messrs Reid, Glendearg, 36kg £87; 2, Messrs Warden, Skelfhill, 37kg,£89. 39.1-45kg – 1 and 2, Glendearg, 43kg £104 and 41kg £97. 45.1kg+ – 1 and champion, Messrs Jardine, Yett, 54kg £125; 2, Messrs Graham, Craigdarroch, 51kg £118.