A TOP price of 2,400 guineas was paid for Annie, a smart keen eyed black and white bitch at Darlington Farmers Auction Mart's early Spring sale of working dogs on Friday of last week.

The three year-old was from Robert Hutchinson of Valley View Farm, Bowes. By Bill E Lawless, the English national champion, she was bought by Andrew Sowerby of Sycamore Rise, Appleby.

Also in the money was A Moore of Woodsprings, Carraby with his three-quarter broken bitch Nan. She was bought by J Pearson & Sons, Gillgate Farm, Coldbergh, for 920 guineas. On a windy, cold day there was a tremendous run of more than 20 dogs across the field.