CRAVEN farmers dominated Gisburn Auction Marts' Christmas Thursday and Monday prime lamb shows.

Robert Lambert, of Wigglesworth and John Mellin, of Long Preston, battled for the prime spot, with both taking turns on the podium.

The Thursday show, judged by Stephen and Anthony Swales of Knavesmire Butchers, York, saw Mr Lambert win the G & D Cropper Butchers of Accrington trophy and champion rosette with his 45kgs Beltex cross lambs which sold for £155 to the pre-sale judges.

Picking up the reserve prize was Mr Mellin, with his lambs, which weighed 36kgs and sold for £155 again to Knavesmire Butchers. However, just four days later at the Monday show, the results were reversed with pre-sale show judge, Alex Riley, of Riley Bros Abattoir, presenting Mr Mellin with the champion rosette and Basil Griffiths Trophy for his 37kgs lambs that sold for 37kgs £140 to Cropper & Mellin.

Mr Lambert collected the reserve champion award with his lambs, weighing 43kgs and selling for £116 to Sanderson Butchers, Accrington.