FARMERS Tony and Janice Swinbank from Brafferton near Darlington were delighted to scoop a prestigious prize.

The couple took home the North & East of England Lleyn Sheep Trophy in the hotly contested 2018 regional flock competition.

And to make it even better for the victors, this was their first time entering the competition.

The judge Colin Bray from Doncaster said he had no hesitation in awarding the top prize since the sheep he saw were in top class condition and were a credit to the breed.

He said: "Their rams were some of the finest examples of the Lleyn breed he had ever seen."

For more information about the competition, organisation or the breed of sheep visit www.lleynsheep.com/society/regionalclubs/ne-england/