"ON THE PHONE", a 17-month-old pure-bred Limousin steer won the Supreme Beef Championship at Exeter Primestock Show for joint owners Simon David from Porlock and Stuart Clatworthy from Highbridge.

The 28th Christmas Show attracted an entry of some of the best presented cattle seen at Exeter for many years.

The judge, Mike Alford, said he was greatly impressed by the high quality of stock put before him and it took him a long time in the judging ring before he finally awarded the championship.

On The Phone sold later for 400 pence per kilo and £2,256.

The Reserve championship was awarded to Vicky Maynard and Matt Smith's Limousin heifer, born in September last year, which sold for 380ppk.

Other cattle trophy winners were Miss Robyn Strawbridge, Miss A Williams and M Saunders, Mr and Mrs F Northmore, Mr and Mrs J Cope and N Jenkinson.

Robert Darke and Judith Lapthorne, from Kingsbridge, won the Supreme Sheep Championship with their pair of crossbred Texel cross butcher's lambs.

The judge was John Coleman from Colchester in

Essex.

Other sheep trophy winners were Messrs SJ and JB Clatworthy, Mr E Quick, Messrs H Widdicombe and Sons, Mr N J Burrington. Store sheep judge was Mr R Partridge.

The inaugural presentation of the Alan Venner Memorial Cup for the top price per kilo suck lamb at Exeter Market went to Mr Kevin Bateman.

The Stirk Championship was won by Mr F E Tucker with a nine-month old Limousin steer, which sold for £595. Judge was Andrew Down.

Trophies were presented by the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr John Winterbottom.

Officers of the Exeter and District Christmas Show are: president – Mr Jim Harvey, chairman – Mr John Quick, secretary – Mrs Angela Heard, chief cattle steward – Mr Troy Stuart, chief sheep steward – Mrs Mary Curtis.

Mr Harvey expressed thanks to all those who exhibited at the show, to the officers who support it and to Exeter City Council and Exeter Market Auctioneers and sponsors for their support.

Alan Quick