A gimmer from Paul Tippetts led the trade at the Beltex Sheep Society’s sale at Worcester – where averages improved in all sections – selling for the top price of 1800gns.

Hackney Elsie ET, from the flock near Shifnal, Shropshire, is by the 7000gns Kingledores Braveheart ram bought at Carlisle, while her dam is Hackney Charity, a daughter of the 60,000gns Topflite Al Pacino. She caught the eye of Angus Hamplett and joins his Booden flock near Haughton, Stafford.

Paul also led the ram lamb trade when Hackney Fernando ET sold to J Denny, Alburgh, Harleston, for 800gns. He is by the imported Scooby Doo, and bred from Hackney Bambi.

David Thornley welcomed the highest price among the males when his substitute entry, Dooley Ecstatic, a shearling ram from Swadlincote, sold to Liam Morgan for his Ty Gwyn flock near Pontarddulais, Swansea, for 1600gns.

Averages: 26 shearling rams, £543 (+£56 for one less sold); four ram lambs, £511 (+£189 for four less); 16 gimmers, £444 (+£45 for six fewer).

Auctioneers: McCartneys