MORE than 4,400 head of sheep packed the pens at Skipton Auction Mart’s big opening gimmer shearling show and sale on Tuesday.

The annual highlight featured three show classes for pens of ten, with local vendors, brothers James, Tommy and William Hall, of Darnbrook Farm, Darnbrook, winning the show class for Masham gimmer shearlings for the second year in succession.

The red rosette in the Mule show class went to John and Beth Greenhalgh, and their daughter Anne, from Rugglesmere Farm, Bashall Eaves, Clitheroe.

Pure-bred Texels from Lambert and Joy Coverdale and their son, also Lambert, from Crimple Meadow Farm, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate, took first prize honours in the Continental show class.

A full report will appear in next week’s Herald.