A solid turnout of almost 2,400 spring lambs at Skipton Auction Mart on Monday met with an improved trade on the week, rising a hefty 10p/kg to level at 273p across the board, or £115.60 per head, with all classes of fed/good meat lambs good to sell taking advantage of the better trade.

Ellis Bros, Addingham Moorside, secured their second consecutive monthly prime lambs championship under judge Mick Etherington, Eldwick, with another strong pen of five 44kg Beltex cross shown by Rob Ellis and sold for double top per head and by-weight of £188, 427p/kg, to ringside regular Andrew Atkinson, Kettlesing.

The second prize and reserve champion 42kg Beltex from Frankland Farms, Rathmell, fell to Nick Dalby, Hartwith, at £158, the third prize 40kg pen from Tim Robinson, Longridge, making £136.

James Spensley, Elslack, stood first and second in the Suffolk cross show class with 48kg and 44kg pens selling, respectively, at £129 and £125, again both to Andrew Atkinson, bettered at £143 by the third prize 50kg pen from the Ribble Valley and J&F Nutter, Hurst Green, another Dalby purchase.

Mr Atkinson also claimed by the first and second prize Mule pens, both weighing 44kg, the victors from Kevin Wilson, Blubberhouses, at £108.50, the runners-up, again from Ellis Bros, at £112.