RENOWNED Wensleydale Longwool sheep breeder Ernie Sherwin met Conservative Party leadership candidate Boris Johnson during the MP’s visit to North Yorkshire.

Mr Johnson visited Mr Sherwin’s Grange Farm at Nosterfield, near Bedale, to hear his views about the challenges facing sheep farmers.

During the visit with local MP Rishi Sunak, Mr Johnson got the chance to shear one of Mr Sherwin’s prize-winning ewes.

Mr Sherwin gave a brief demonstration before handing the ewe to Mr Johnson who he said "made a pretty good fist of it".

He also showed Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak the valuable fleeces that come from the Wensleydale Longwool breed.

Mr Sherwin said: "I told him that we just have to get on with Brexit. It is the uncertainty that is so troubling, not just for sheep farmers but all farmers."

Mr Johnson said whatever the eventual outcome of further negotiations with the EU in the event that he became Prime Minister, one of his key priorities would be to look after the interests of UK farmers – deal or no deal.

After his visit to Nosterfield, Mr Johnson toured the nearby Heck Sausage factory, meeting owners Debbie and Andrew Keeble. They discussed access to foreign labour and trade tariffs.