THOUSANDS of people turned out for a major agricultural exhibition at Carlisle with the coveted ‘champion of champions’ accolade going to a red heifer aptly named ‘One and Only’.

A spokesperson for Borderway Agri Expo said: “For this, one of the UK’s leading winter agricultural events, warmer weather replaced cold, and the crowds came, attracted by some of the finest sheep and cattle from across the length and breadth of the UK.”

Standards were once again high across the 57 classes and five breed society shows, with the ‘champion of champions’ and ‘champion heifer’ rosettes ultimately taken home by John Williams of Trawsfyndd, Gwynedd, for his April 2018-born red heifer named One and Only.

In the sheep classes, champion continental went to J & R Jerman of Brilley, Herefordshire, for a pair of Beltex lambs, with reserve going to Young Farmer April Skelton, of Cumbria.

Champion pair of hill breds went to Strathaven’s JJ Frame & Co with a pair of Blackface lambs.

Judge Gregor Ingram commented on the quality of the winners in the sheep classes, saying: “They had that wow factor and as soon as I saw them in their stalls, there were no faults.

“A lot of sheep have gigots, but I was also looking for good shoulders and loin and not too much fat and they fitted the bill.

“The Blackface were another really good pair. Representative of the breed, with very good back legs.

“It has been a tremendous show of livestock and I believe it is one of the best shows of lambs in the country.”

David Pritchard, joint managing director and event co-ordinator at Harrison & Hetherington, which organises the expo, said: “Our objective when we launched Agri Expo all those years ago [in 2007], was not only to provide an event where our British livestock farmers could show stock, but we wanted to host an event that would support our livestock farmers in terms of business, education and importantly as a social gathering.”

Mr Pritchard thanked people for their support and for making it a “day to remember.”