RICHARD Brown, of Moody House Farm, West Burton, Leyburn, took the championship on his dbut at the annual Dalesbred Sheep Breeders' Association show and sale at Craven Cattle Marts' Skipton mart on Tuesday.

His shearling, one of 68 entries at Skipton, was placed third in its class at this year's Masham Sheep Fair.

The champion was praised for its "character and style" by judges Paul Bowdin, of Oughtershaw, and Matt Close, of Starbotton, and went on to sell for £240 to W and R Mashiter, Lancaster.

Michael Carr of Horton in Ribblesdale showed the best aged ram, achieving the day's top price of £320 to J T and M Kelsall, Cold Cotes, Clapham.

Prizes. - Aged rams: 1 MJ&A Carr; 2 W&R Mashiter; 3 K Verity, Suttill Farm, Stean. Shlg rams: 1 RH Brown; 2 GC Haygarth, Aigden Farm, Wigglesworth; 3 JT&M Kelsall, Cold Cotes.