RENOWNED North Yorkshire sheep breeder Cecil Hutchinson won both classes at Skipton Auction Mart’s second early spring show of ewes with lambs at foot.

Trading as AC & C Hutchinson of Brickyard Farm, Kirkby Wiske, Northallerton, he had both the first and second prize pens in the two ewes with lambs class.

His first prize Texel-cross shearling ewes with Beltex lambs sold for £192 per outfit to husband-and-wife show judges and Texel breeders John and Alison North, of Moss, Doncaster.

The second prize pen of Beltex-cross shearling ewes with Beltex lambs went for £180 per unit to Michael Allen, of Staithes, Whitby.

Mr Allen also bought Mr Hutchinson’s first prize pen of five or more ewes with lambs at foot, all Beltex, for £190 per outfit.

In second place, with a pen of Mule shearlings with Texel lambs, was farmer Arthur Maude, of Bradley. They were acquired for £158 per unit by Andrew Parry, Harrogate.

Mr Hutchinson sold a total of 26 outfits at an average of £174.46. The fixture attracted a 397-strong entry of ewes and lambs.

Regular weekly sales of sheep with lambs at foot at Skipton have now reverted to Mondays to encompass the main sale season for couples.