HUNDREDS of visitors flocked to the UK's first show and sale of rare Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep at Carlisle.

The supreme overall champion title was taken by Scottish breeders Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister with Highland Breeze, who was also awarded female champion.

Hosted by the UK Valais Blacknose Sheep Society (VBSSUK) the event at Borderway mart attracted more than 150 entries.

There were 13 classes with each winner presented with a traditional Swiss bell. In order to maintain the same standards the breed are held to in their home country, eight highly qualified Swiss judges officiated.

Taking home male champion and reserve supreme champion was Tim Dunne of Cumbria, with Westmorland Dancer. He also took the reserve female championship with his 2016-born ewe lamb, Westmorland Dilly sired by Prendwick Eros. Reserve male champion was Raymond Irvine and Jenni McAllister with Highland King Kong.

The couple from Moray also achieved the top price with an in-lamb gimmer which sold for £3,600. Mr Irvine said: "To be crowned the overall champion is a great honour and to do it with so many great sheep at the event has been a dream. Jenni and I are over the moon, it has not really sunk in!"

The Valais Blacknose is incredibly rare with only 12,000 registered in Switzerland. The VBSSUK was first formed by Jenni McAllister, Raymond Irvine and Northumberland breeder Jamie Wood in January last year and now has 42 members.

Mr Wood was thrilled with the day's success. He said: "We received a fantastic number of entries and the interest and buzz surrounding the breed is incredible, with people travelling from as far afield as New Zealand and the USA.

"The judges were overwhelmed with the quality being bred here in the UK, and the hard work put in by the breeders has definitely paid off, with some being awarded maximum points."