A BID to encourage youngsters to stay in agriculture and learn more about how to buy and sell cattle has been deemed a great success.

South Lakeland-based members of Cumbria Young Farmers’ Club stole the day at Kendal auction mart’s first spring sale of sheep with lambs at foot especially organised for groups in the Kendal area, Grayrigg YFC did themselves proud by taking the first prize and top price at this inaugural show for youngsters in the area, taking took the top spot with a correct mule ewe with twins, which sold for £185 to Ian Little, of Barrows Green, Kendal.

The event came about as a result of a conscious effort by North West Auctions to involve young farmers in activities at their marts, buying the sheep last autumn and presenting them to the five clubs to farm throughout the winter before producing lambs for showing at this intended annual event.

John Hughes, auctioneer livestock manager, said: “One of our staff said why don’t we do something for the local YFCs to support them and put some funds into their kitty.

“It was also a way of us getting to know them and them getting know us - to let them know that we are here for them. It is very, very difficult at the moment with the way agriculture is going. Farmers are short of staff and this is just one way of attracting youngsters and encouraging them to use our facilities.”

In second place was Lowick YFC, third was Kent Estuary, fourth was Sedbergh and Crook came fifth. More than £800 was raised and any profits will go back to the individual groups.