Bluefaced Leicester females proved the star attraction at North West Auctions' Diamond Delights multi-breed show and sale at J36, securing the lead prices and averages.

The sale, which included Cheviots, Dutch Spotted, Herdwicks, Swaledales, and Zwartbles, also saw a new record of 1900gns paid for a Rough Fell female.

The largest entry of Blues to date was topped at 8000gns by the champion, a Smearsett ewe hogg from David and Robin Booth's Smearsett flock from Feizor, Lancs. Smearsett P24 is by the well-known home-bred tup Ted, a G11 Smearsett, and bred from a ewe by Blarnavaid J14. She was knocked down to Allan Wight and son Ben, Midlock, Crawford.

On the other side of the coin, Midlock sold the second equal highest priced lot at 6500gns. This was the gimmer Midlock N87, by Midlock L27 which sold carrying twins to Midlock Zeus N002. The buyers were A and JA Iveson, Hawes.

Matching that 6500gns sale was an in-lamb entry from James Taylor, Kendal, selling to R Harker and Son, Grayrigg. His Lunesdale M40, sired by the Midlock G34 and out of a Ted ewe sold scanned with twins to the Lunesdale B19.

Scottish breeders bought the reserve champion, the second prize ewe hogg at 4800gns from I and P Brown, Ravenstondale. Their Oakhouse P18 entry by the £30,000 Hewgill N1, headed home with Malcolm Thornborrow and sons Gary and Craig, Dawyck, Peeblesshire.

Strong demand throughout for Bluefaced Leicesters saw in-lamb ewes average £1243.20 with gimmers at £1252.65 and ewe hoggs at £1229.55.

For full report and pictures see this week's Scottish Farmer on Friday, February 4.

Auctioneers: North West Auctions.