TRIBUTES have been paid to a sheep expert who was so keen that he was allowed out of hospital once a week in a wheelchair to attend his local mart.

Harold Stoddart, who has died aged 64, spent years travelling to markets across the North from his farm at Eggleston, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, buying sheep on behalf of clients.

After he had part of a leg amputated two years ago, he was detained in Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, for some months - but was allowed out on Wednesdays so his daughter, Joanne Souter, could wheel him to the town's mart.

Mrs Souter said: "From about the age of six, I went with him to markets all over the North. He always got a great greeting from all the farmers. He loved those days of buying sheep.

"When he was in hospital, he missed the markets so much that the doctors agreed to let him out every Wednesday.

"I took him to the mart, and even from his wheelchair he was able to do a little bit of sheep-dealing."

Freda Longstaffe, who has handled sales at Barnard Castle mart for many years, said: "Harold was very well respected as a judge of sheep. He was here in his wheelchair just a few weeks ago doing some buying."

Mr Stoddart was born in Eggleston and lived there all his life, apart from doing farm work in Leicestershire in his younger days.

He kept suckler cattle and Swaledale sheep on his own land, at Holdworth Farm.

In addition to Mrs Souter, he leaves another daughter, Lisa.

His funeral service will be held tomorrow, at 1pm at Holy Trinity Church, Eggleston.

Donations in lieu of flowers are being invited for the Upper Teesdale Agriculture Support Service and Eggleston Carnival.