BRITISH sheep farmers can look forward to a better price for their wool this season.

The British Wool Marketing Board said prospects had improved considerably over the last year.

A global shortage and an excellent run of British wool sales between November and March saw more than 70pc of the clip sold by Christmas, even though China, previously a major buyer of greasy wool, had been out of the market since foot-and-mouth disease.

The board last week said producers could expect about 10p a kilo more in this year's wool cheque.

Although it accepted that was from a low base, it felt that, after three poor years, prices had turned the corner and the outlook was more promising.

The board will now start the new selling season at the end of the month in a very strong position, as the last scheduled sale of the 2002 season was cancelled because of a shortage of stock.

The price indicator at the final sale was 80p/kg, compared with 68p/kg, at the start of the season - an 18pc increase. The sales value of the clip moved from 69.6p/kg to 72.9p/kg.

Britain is the fourth largest source of world-traded wool, producing about 5pc of the total supply of cross-bred types. The price at auction reflects the market price for similar types on an international basis.

The UK clip was reduced by 20pc in 2001 largely through foot-and-mouth. The 2002 clip is expected to be slightly higher, at more than 38m kg.

The board said no alteration was being made to the present depot structure for this season.

It warned, however, that it might be necessary to make adjustments in the future, once the outcome of the CAP review and its likely impact on sheep numbers was known.