CELEBRATIONS were the order of the day for agriculture students from Newton Rigg College who claimed both first and second place at a national livestock event.

The eight students, who are all studying for diplomas at the Penrith-based college, beat 17 other teams at the annual East of England College Challenge, which is part of the Winter Stock Festival.

Held at Peterborough, the competition attracts entries from colleges across the country.

It was the Newton Rigg College A Team comprising Anna Woodward, Ellie Stamper, Josh Wilson and Jack Hutchinson which took first place.

Assessing stock in four different categories, Anna from Derbyshire judged lamb carcasses, Ellie from Whitehaven judged prime pigs, Josh from Lancaster judged beef and Jack, who hails from Barnard Castle, judged lambs.

With 15 minutes to make their decisions, each student had to use stock judging cards for placing and their reasons.

Second place was claimed by the college’s Team B - Ellie Wynne from Derbyshire judged heifers, Kate Thompson from Kendal judged lambs, Will Barker from Scarborough judged lamb carcasses and Will Porter from Reeth judged prime pigs.

The rosettes and placards marking the successes were presented by officials from the East of England Agricultural Society. Comment was made about how the students were all keen young farmers with a real interest in stock judging.