DOZENS of people flocked to the annual South West Winter Fair livestock auction.

Hosted by Greenslade Taylor Hunt and held at the Sedgemoor Auction Centre in North Petherton, it was a landmark year for the auction as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.

With near record-entries and a plethora of high quality of livestock on offer the event was lauded as the best yet by the organisers, with each of the animals judged before being put up for sale.

In the haltered cattle show competition, a huge Limousin Cross Blue heifer named Jet, from Mendip Farm in Catcott took the top spot, meaning its owner John Brown was awarded £1,000.

Commencing the sale, auctioneer Jeremy Bell of Greenslade Taylor Hunt, described the heifer as an outstanding winner, and she tipped the scales at 589 kgs.

Judge Phil David, of the butchers at Darts Farm near Exeter, was so impressed with the cow he bought it for £3,100 in the auction, and took it home.

Rob Venner, managing partner of Sedgemoor Market for Greenslade Taylor Hunt, said: “I am delighted to report that this year's South West Winter Fair was the best yet.

"I was very impressed with both the excellent entry in terms of numbers and also the superb quality of cattle, sheep and pigs on show.

"Vendors must be congratulated for all their endeavours and for creating such a wonderful day."

The champion haltered beast was shown by last year’s winner Daniel Cox, 16, of Stawell, near Bridgwater, who bagged a class win this year with his Limousin cross steer Red Rebel. He had used his prize money from last year’s event to invest in Red Rebel and another animal.

The reserve champion and the sum of £250 went to the appropriately named Little Miss Fabulous.

Megan Chilcott and Percy Clatworthy, aged 10, of East Huntspill, showed this excellent blonde cross heifer. The pair had used Christmas money from their granny, Betty Norman, of Puriton, to buy the animal. The heifer tipped the scales at 552kgs. She sold to Puxton Park for £2,500.

In the baby beef steer category Austin Lockyer, of East Huntspill, took top spot with his British Blue cross steer Apache, while Georgina Pengelly, of Cullompton, took the prize in the heifer contest with Ivy, a Limousin cross heifer.

She was also crowned Champion, with Apache as the reserve.

Lin Calcraft, of Payhembury, near Honiton, took the honours in the home bred and fed contest. She won £500 with Ace of Spades, a magnificent Blue cross steer.

In a fiercely fought sausage contest butcher Tim Potter, of Wellington, clinched the overall champion cup and the prize for the best speciality sausages with his smoked bacon, pork and tomato offering. Three other speciality flavours from Mr Potter were given Gold awards. Regency Butchers, of Bridgwater, won the traditional pork sausage competition.

The presentation of awards will take place on Thursday 8th December at Somerset County Cricket Club.