THE Glorious Twelfth at Hexham Auction Mart saw an entry of 701 top quality cattle for the 21st anniversary prize show and sale to commemorate the opening of the modern auction complex at Tyne Green.

The prize show was sponsored by Zoetis Animal Health, Hodgson Toyota (Newcastle) and Harbro Animal Nutrition.

Peter Blackshaw, Bakewell, was judge and selected his overall champion and winner of the JW Smith-Jackson Trophy for the best calf bred by the exhibitor from the Limousin steers section.

Both went to Willie Barron, owner of the 'Barrons' herd of pedigree Limousin cattle from Morrow Edge, Burnhope, for his outstanding pure bred 15 month-old steer, sired by Mereside Godolphin.

Only shown twice before he was first in his class at the national Limousin show and champion of champions at the Northumberland county show in May.

The reserve champion was a smart Black British Blue cross bred heifer from well-known stockman John Smith-Jackson, High Town, Haltwhistle.

In the following sale the overall champion sold for £1600 to John Otterburn, Helmsley. However the reserve champion achieved the top price of the day for Messrs Smith-Jackson selling for £1750 to Mr Dickinson, Derbyshire.