Swaledales and Bluefaced Leicesters hit the headlines at Bentham Auction Marts' multi-breed sale of individual in-lamb females, securing most of the lead prices.

Sale leader at £2600 was a Swaledale gimmer from Eric Coates' Butt Rigg flock from Chapel Garth, Gunnerside, Richmond, purchased by Frank Brennand, Ellerbeck, Chapel-Le-Dale, Carnforth. She is by a Bull and Cave sire, and sold carrying twins to Stonesdale Governor.

Mr Coates also sold the top two highest priced ewe hoggs at £1200 and £1050, with the latter also purchased by Mr Brennand. The £1200 Swaledale ewe hogg sold to Shaun Taylor.

Bluefaced Leicesters peaked at £1850 for an in-lamb gimmer carrying triplets, from AC and K Pye's Emmetts flock from Abbeystead, to J Lancaster, Hetton, Skipton.

Just behind, on £1800 and £1600 were Blue ewe hoggs from WM Hutchinson and Son, Kirkby Redgate, Kirkby Stephen, purchased by GA and J Allison and Son, Chop Gate, Middlesborough and SH, TA and M Sutcliffe, Horton in Ribblesdale, respectively.

Other in-lamb Bluefaced Leicester gimmers sold to £1300 and £1000, from Messrs Booth's Smearsett flock and R and PE Hargreaves, Barley, respectively.

Herdwicks hit a top price of £900 for an in-lamb gimmer by a Turner Hall sire from Jean Wilson, Matterdale, Penrith, selling to Daniel Mullin, Huddersfield.

North Country Cheviots gimmers from Keith Stones and family, Nun Cote Nook, Richmond, sold to £500 twice, with others to £450 and £400.

Auctioneers: Bentham Auction Mart