A PRIZE-WINNING pedigree sheep breeder who already has a thriving export business has now diversified into producing her own yarn.

Ellie Stokeld's 300-strong Doulton flock of pedigree rare breed Border Leicester sheep is the UK's largest and is based at Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough.

The breed is known as the "sheep industries great improver" and she has found success in supplying ewes and rams to farmers across the UK as well as Holland and Italy. This year, she also expects to fulfill orders to Germany and the Ukraine.

The breed is renowned for producing beautiful tight fleeces, which she sells to the British Wool Marketing Board and to hand spinners all over the world.

And now she has begun marketing her own farm assured yarns after contacting Blacker Yarns –part of The Natural Fibre Company – to process the fleeces into knitting yarn at their specialist mill in Launceston, Cornwall.

Her first "Doulton Flock Border Leicester" yarn was produced for the first time last week and proved an immediate success.

Lara Pollard-Jones, sales and marketing manager for The Natural Fibre Company, said: "The yarn has proved to be a big hit through online sales, and we will be taking it with us to Yarndale at the end of September to showcase it in Yorkshire."

She described the yarn as "smooth and lofty, exhibiting the natural qualities of the Border Leicester fleece".

The label on each skein of yarn says: "The Doulton Flock of Border Leicesters is known for producing stunning sheep with superb conformation. The yarn is an example of the quality fleeces produced by Ellie Stokeld."

Ellie herself is thrilled with the response the yarn has received and is looking forward to attending Yarndale at Skipton mart on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27.

The yarn comes in its natural creamy white or three other colours. Two types are available – a double knit, perfect for jumpers and hats and scarves – and a four-ply that lends itself to shawls and finer work.

The yarn has been worsted spun to leave a smooth "non-itchy" yarn and sells for £12 per skein. It is available to buy direct from ellie.stokeld@btconnect.com telephone 07860 363742 or from Blacker Yarns.