A gimmer from Ian Collinson, Billing Shield, Eastgate, proved the star attraction at a sale of crowned in-lamb Swaledale females at Kirkby Stephen, selling for the top price of £4700.

The gimmer, a daughter of a Ewbank tup which sold in lamb to a Naby sire, was purchased by J Pritchard, Evistones House, Rochester.

Mr Pritchard also went to £3200 for a three-shear ewe from Dan Humble, Weardale. The breeding behind this transaction, includes a home-bred ram with the service sire being bred at Stoneyhill.

Having topped the trade at £4700, Billing Shield was back in the money, selling a gimmer by a Bull and Cave ram for £3200 to R Collingwood, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland. She changed hands due to a Rukin sire.

Second top price was £4400 paid for a two-shear ewe by a Bull and Cave ram from Patrick and Kirsty Sowerby's Oakbank flock from Barras, Kirkby Stephen. She sold due to a home-bred Oakbank ram to Messrs Haughey, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, who also went to £3200 for a two-shear ewe of similar breeding from the same home.

Out with the individual sheep two consignments of ewes sold in lots were offered by Messrs Sowerby, Oakbank and Messrs Bland, Crowden House Farm.

Messrs Sowerby sold a pair of two-shear ewes to make £900 each selling to G Coates, Catterick and Messrs Bland sold a pair of ewe hoggs for £600 each to Messrs Haughey, Northern Ireland.

By the end of the day of the 11 hoggs and 63 ewes and gimmers sold; gimmers averaged £2085.71, with ewes at £1844.44.

LEADING prices

Gimmers – £4700, £3200 £800 Billing Shield Farm; £2200 Cowshill Bridge View; £1500 Oakbank Farm; £1200, £1000 Bail Hill; £700 Crowden House.

Ewes – £4400, £3200, £1000, £900 Oakbank Farm; £3200 Cowshill Bridge View; £2000, £1800 Valley Farm; £600 How Burn; £500(2) Crowden House Farm.

Ewe hoggs – £600 Crowden House

Auctioneers: Harrison and Hetherington.