PREVIOUS records were smashed not once but twice at Bentham Auction’s 2014 Christmas show and sale of rearing calves.

A full to capacity ringside of old and new buyers resulted in an electric atmosphere.

Some strong classes of calves, particularly in the British Blue sections, were put before the judge, Willie Linton, of Lanarkshire, who awarded the championship to regular vendors Stephen and Pamela Parker of Bentham.

The victor - a 54-day-old British Blue sired bull calf - was later knocked down to regular buyer Malcolm Campbell, of Rathmell, for £700.

Moments later,the reserve champion - a 53-day-old British Blue sired heifer from Alec Lambert, of Bainbridge - realised £655 selling to the judge.

Away from the show, the stronger British Blue sired bulls sold from £420 to £470, with younger sorts making £350 or more, and a nice entry of British Blue heifers found plenty of buyer interest, achieving £380 to £430.

Other highlights included a quality 36-day-old heifer calf from Alan Woodhouse, of Clapham, which fetched £540 selling to Isaac and Robert Woodhouse of Roeburndale.

A run of young Hereford calves from Messrs Ashworth, of Clitheroe, saw their best sell to £295, with heifers topping at £285.

Native bred calves were well sought after. Black and white calves enjoy a brisk trade, with stronger types regularly making from £120 to£160, with the first prize black and white bull from Gordon Lewis, of Middleton, selling to Geoff Long, of Ulverston, for £165.

Younger fleshy sorts sold for between £60 and £80 and plainer calves for between £30 and £40.