AN annual trophy has been presented for high standards at a Northallerton sheep sale.

Robert Johnson from RG Johnson and Son of Harrogate won the Alan Weighell Cup for 2005.

The trophy is presented each year for the best pen of ten mule shearlings.

It has been running each year since Mr Weighell, a well-known sheep farmer from Morton-on-Swale, decided to give a prize for the best animals, about ten years ago.

Yesterday, his wife, Sheila, presented the trophy to Mr Johnson, who also won the prize last year.

She said: "It just gives people a bit more incentive to come and show sheep if there is a cup. It brings a few more people to the mart."

The sheep were later sold for £108 per head.