FARMERS from all over the region are expected to flock to the newly-opened Kendal auction mart’s first early spring prize show and sale today.

The state-of-the-art agricultural centre next to J36 of the M6 at Crooklands, began holding sales on February 12, but today’s event is seen as symbolic because it is the first to involve cattle being judged by one of the region’s top livestock experts.

The sale includes around 600 store cattle as well as rearing calves and stirks, cast cows, newly calved dairy cattle and beef breeding cattle. It will be followed by a sheep sale of store hoggs.

And the show prizes at the auction are being sponsored by The Westmorland Gazette.

Andrew Thomas, content editor, said: “The new auction mart is a major asset for South Lakeland. I feel confident it will become an important centre for agriculture and other businesses.

“We are delighted to sponsor this prize show and sale.”