SISTERS Nicola and Angela Chapplehow took the top honours in the sixth annual Young Farmers over-wintered calf competition held by Hexham and Northern Marts.

The competition is open to any Young Farmers’ Club member in Northumberland, Durham and Cumbria and attracted 61 entries.

The competitors attended Hexham mart in October and purchased a suckled calf – financed by the company – which they reared for the competition.

The show attracted more than 400 spectators who watched Julie Sedgewick of Aycliffe judge more than 30 of the calves.

She selected the jet black Limousin cross bred heifer shown by Nicola Chappelhow, of High Grounds Farm, Penrith, as her overall champion and winner of the David Carr trophy.

She then selected the red Limousin cross bred bullock shown by Angela Chapplehow as runner-up and winner of the J Gibb Trophy for the best calf of opposite sex to the champion.

The sisters bought the calves on the same day from Michael Cousins, of the Laws, Whitfield, a staunch supporter of Hexham mart who was delighted with the girls’ successes.

The Dalkin Trophy for the best turned-out calf went to a British Blue cross bred bullock from Richard Sanders, of Bavington Hill Head, Cambo.

Virtually all white with a speckling of black in places, it was not only the best turnedout, but also the best behaved on the night, reflecting the hard work put in by the exhibitor.

The following day the entire entry was put up for sale to see who made the most profit.

A packed sale ring saw each calf make a profit with the overall average being £272.66p. The champion calf made the biggest profit of £610 followed by Richard Sanders at £550 and Angela Chapplehow at £520.