JUDGE John Swann had his work cut out selecting Gisburn Auction Marts Christmas calf show champion from the 241 rearing calves forward.

Competing for the championship prize of one tonne of Massey Feeds-calf ration, the delighted and deserving winner was Colin Whitelock, of Lower Green Farm, Gargrave, with his five and half week old British Blue bull.

Earlier in the day it had won first prize in the British Blue bull class and went on to sell for the days’s top price of £600 to Mr Swann.

Reserve champion, also a British Blue bull, came from Pauline Anderton, of Bamber Bridge. It made the second top price of £575, after winning the second prize award in the British Blue bull calf.

Fifty six Blue bull calves met with a flying trade to average just shy of £400. Forty six British Blue heifers sold to a top £470 with a trio from Alan Bowker, Cowling.

Simmental cross bulls sold for £430 and £400 twice from John Shuttleworth, of Rylstone. However, the top price of £450 came from Alec Simpson, of Bolton by Bowland.

The Shuttleworths also sold two Simmental heifersfor £390 and £385, while J Fisher and Son, of Whitechapel, Preston, achieved £375 for his calves. Limousin calves also commanded a strong trade, with bulls selling between £240 and £378 to level at £330 and heifers between £180 and £372 from Duncan Tattersall, of Crawshawbooth,to average £275. Despite being a predominately continental day, there were plenty of customers for the 68 black and white bulls, selling to a high of £185 to average £72.