Centre records were smashed at Harrison and Hetherington's show and sale of store cattle at Middleton in Teesdale, when a British Blue heifer from JC and J White, Rigg Farm, secured the championship and sold for a new high of £4800.

Judge Andrew Richardson, Appleby, found his champion in a Blue heifer by Oak Tree Gowery, bred from a pure-bred Limousin cow, which sold to David Jarman, who intends to breed from her at Brow Top.

Rigg Farm also bagged the reserve honours with a black heifer of similar parentage which sold for the second highest price of £2600 to Will Burden, Northamptonshire.

The majority of cattle forward were between six and 10months of age and sold to average £1064 (+£80 on the year), with bullocks regularly selling between £1100-£1300 and the smartest heifers achieving £1400 and beyond.

LEADING prices

Steers – BB – £1600, £1420, £1330, £1320 (x2), £1300, £1200 Rigg Farm; £1040, Lanehead Farm. Lim – £1300 Lanehead Farm; £1230, £1130, £1120 Bank Top; £1220, £1140 Rigg Farm; £1200, £1145 Parrick House Farm; £1200, £1185 How Burn; £1200 Bail Hill; £1170, £1140 Lands Farm; £1170 Strand Foot; £1160 West Biggins; £1110, £1105 Brockersgill Farm. BS – £1070, £1020 Pikestone Farm. Char – £940 Low House

Heifers – BB – £4800, £2600, £2200, £1800, £1500 (x2), £1450 Rigg Farm; £1190 Strand Foot; £1080, £790 Lanehead Farm; £1065, £1060 Strand Foot; £1020, Intake Farm. Lim – £1800, £1650, £1620, £1500 Rigg Farm; £1620 Lanehead Farm; £1450, £1165 East Friar House Farm; £1240, £1070 New House; £1220 Bail Hill; £1170 Bank Top; £1150 Land Farm; £1110, £1105, £1080 Hayberries; £1080 West Biggins. Blonde £1750 Rigg Farm.