YOUNG people who represent farming’s future generations had their chance to shine in the exhibition arena at Skipton Auction Mart’s annual young handlers’ prime lamb show and sale on Monday.

A total of 24 youngsters participated across three age groups, with 20 years separating them and, coincidentally, both the championship and reserve championship falling to the oldest and youngest competitors – 25-year-old Laura Robinson, who retained the title she won last year, and Isobel North, just turned five.

Judge Martin Brown, of Newton-le-Willows, deliberated long and hard before awarding the championship to a three-quarters Beltex wether lamb from Laura, winner of the 17 to 26 years show class.

Her father, Trevor, and uncle Clive Robinson farm at Middle Brayshaw Farm, Tosside, though Laura is now based in Barnoldswick, where she runs her own Texel and Beltex-cross flock with her partner Scott Robinson. She also works part time for Pearson Farm Supplies in West Marton.

The 2014 victor, weighing in at 36kg, sold for £104 to Andrew Atkinson, of Felliscliffe, Harrogate, who was purchasing on behalf of Hartshead Meats in Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Isobel North, who also won the young handlers’ title in 2012 when aged just three – possibly the youngest-ever champion in the history of Skipton Auction Mart – first picked up the red rosette in the under tens class with a black Texel wether lamb bred in Giggleswick by her parents John and Alison North, and weighing 61kg.

Isobel, now a pupil at Giggleswick Primary School, then watched as her reserve champion sold for the day’s leading prime lamb price of £122 to Hellifield’s Paul Watson.

Ten-year-old Sam Phillipson, of Netherwood Farm in Briercliffe, winner of the under tens class in 2013, this year stepped up to the 10-16 years age group and picked up another red rosette with his 45kg Texel-cross-Beltex ram lamb, to the delight of his parents James and Christine Phillipson. This also fell to Mr Watson for £100.

Class results, selling prices and buyers were: under 10 – 1 Isobel North, Giggleswick, £122 to Paul Watson, Hellifield, 2 James Garnett, Draughton, £94 to Vivers Scot Lamb, Annan, 3 Holly Wain, Ashbourne, £74 to Vivers Scot Lamb, 4 Nancy, Amy and Emma Lawn, Skipton, £86 to Woodhead Bros Butchers, Colne.

Ten to16 years – 1 Sam Phillipson, Briercliffe, £100 to P Watson, 2 Jacob Ogg, Lincoln, £91 to Vivers Scot Lamb, 3 Alice Throup, Silsden, £83 to P Watson, 4 Kyle Handy, Stainforth, £87 to Andrew Atkinson, Felliscliffe.

Seventeen to 26 years – 1 Laura Robinson, Barnoldswick, £104 to A Atkinson, 2 Daniel Ellis, Addingham Moorside, £88 to A Atkinson, 3 Rob Ellis, Addingham Moorside, £98 to P Watson, 4 Mel Pickard, Bolton-by-Bowland, £84 to Woodhead Bros.

Show organiser Kelly Armitage said: “It was a great competition, aimed at introducing youngsters not only into the art of preparing and showing a lamb, but also of presenting the lamb in the sale ring, experiencing the live auction system and understanding exactly what happens to the lamb that they have produced."

l Laura was also among the prizes at a special summer young handlers sheep show and sale at Gisburn Auction Mart.

She won the pair of breeding sheep show class for 16 to 27 years olds and went on to win the overall champion young handler with her Beltex lambs which sold for £135 to J Feather, of Keighley.