A NORTH Yorkshire farmer took the champion and reserve champion at the third annual sale of pedigree Beltex sheep at Skipton mart.

David Findlay of Birdridding Farm, Coverham, a leading member of the Northern Beltex Partnership, took the championship with his February 2003 twin ram lamb, Northern Beltex Gary, which also made the top price, 2,000gns, from Brian Beaks of Clitheroe.

Mr Findlay's reserve was a February 2003 single ewe lamb, Northern Beltex Gabrielle, which sold for 575gns to Michael Barnes of Burnley.

Mr Findlay established the Northern Beltex Partnership in 2000 with his brother Richard, of Quarry Farm, Westerdale, Whitby. The consortium has now grown to nine.

A January 2001 shearling ram, Hawthwaite Lane Freemont, from Linda Caines, Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, sold for 1,225gns to Nobby Hobson, from Kirkby Malzeard, Ripon, a regular customer at Craven Cattle Marts' Masham mart.

Martin and Val Brown, of Beechwood House Farm, Newton-le-Willows, Bedale, headed the aged ram section with a two-shear ram, at 725gns to D Mason and Sons, Carnforth.

The sale of the increasingly popular British-bred Beltex attracted a record entry of 167, including some high quality females.

" We have the right sheep, the right formula and the right markets," said Mr Findlay.

Prizes. - Aged ram: 1 M&V Brown; 2 L Caine. Shlg ram: 1 BT Breaks; 2. M Grayshon; 3. M&V Brown. Ram lamb: 1 DR Findlay; 2 M&V Brown; 3 RG Findlay. Shlg gimmer: 1&2 BT Breaks; 3 L Caine. Ewe lamb: 1&2 DR Findlay; 3 S&GA Potter. Ewe: 1 L Caine.