HARRISON & Hetherington has begun an immediate £100,000 investment programme for its newly-acquired marts at Lazonby and Kirkby Stephen in preparation for the autumn sales starting on September 1.

A full agenda of special autumn breeding and store sales and regular weekly and monthly sales is being planned to complement the sales calendar at their other marts at Borderway (Carlisle), Lockerbie and Newcastleton, and through the H&H Kendal Partnership at Kendal and Broughton marts.

The investment programme includes new steel pennage at Lazonby which traditionally hosts large North of England Mule and Blue-faced Leicester breeding and store sheep sales.

Licensing arrangements through Defra are in hand for Lazonby to ensure the mart's full operation in the first week of September.

Further investment at Kirkby Stephen, a key centre for autumn sheep sales including Swaledale breeding rams and females, includes new office and computer facilities, pennage renewal, upgrading of the weighbridge and total refurbishment of the cafeteria.

Harrison & Hetherington will also operate sales at Middleton-in-Teesdale and St John's Chapel.

Additional staff joining Harrison & Hetherington will include Kirkby Stephen senior auctioneer Stuart Bell, who will continue to be based at Kirkby Stephen.

Sales fixtures include:

KIRKBY STEPHEN

Fortnightly store cattle sales starting on September 2 with the opening show and sale (entries close August 26).

Weekly sales of prime and lightweight lambs, cast and feeding ewes and store lambs, starting on September 3.

Weekly collections of primestock and OTMS.

Annual sales for C District of the Swaledale Sheep Breeders' Association and for other sheep breeds including Blue-faced Leicesters.

LAZONBY

Weekly prime sheep sales starting on September 4.

Weekly collections of primestock and OTMS cattle.

First special sale of Mule, Suffolk cross and continental cross ewes, two to three shear and over on September 4.

Annual sales of North of England Mules, Blue-faced Leicesters and Swaledales.

MIDDLETON-IN-TEESDALE

Weekly sales of prime and lightweight lambs, cast and feeding ewes and store lambs starting on September 4.

Weekly collections of primestock and OTMS cattle.

Monthly sales of store and breeding cattle along with the opening sale of store lambs and breeding sheep on September 9.

Annual sales of suckled calves and store cattle.

ST JOHN'S CHAPEL

Swaledale wether and other breeds of store lambs on September 6.

Six special sales to include D District ram sales for the Swaledale Sheep Breeders' Association