CULL cows topped at £2,265.60 for a British Blue cow at Gisburn Auction Marts Christmas show on Thursday.

Presented by Geoff and Margaret Walker, Dunsop Bridge, the seven-and-half-year-old cow, weighing 960gs was knocked down to Pickstock Ashby Ltd, of Telford.

Earlier in the day, it was awarded the first prize rosette in British Blue cow class and later went onto win the overall champion award judged by Geoff Burrow, of Hanlith.

Next best in the bidding stakes at £1,881.60 was Chris Akrigg, of Buckden,with his nine-and-half-year-old British Blue cow, which weighed 896kgs and sold for 210p/kg.

Renowned Limousin breeders Procters Farms, of Slaidburn, saw their eight-year-old cow win first prize in the Limousin class. Weighing 940kgs, she sold for 191p/kg or £1795 to John Lancaster, of Thoralby, Leyburn.

Taking top honours in the continental cow class was John Stephenson, of Bordley, with his Blonde d’Aquitaine cow, weighing 840kgs, which sold for £1,747.20 or 208p/kg.

Auctioneer Richard Turner said: “There was an outstanding show of cull cows, with buyers travelling great distances to purchase such cattle - a total of 12 cattle averaged 182p/kg.”