A COUPLE who breed a variety of sheep which are very rare in Devon have scooped a champion flock award from the Kerry Hill Society.

There are only two registered breeders of Kerry Hill sheep in Devon and Jo and Richard Kingdom from Sampford Courtenay have won recognition for their flock of 40 breeding ewes.

?It was a complete surprise to win the overall prize although I was secretly hoping we might do quite well in our category,? Jo said. ?Kerry Hills are native to Powys in Wales and are mostly concentrated in the Wales and Shropshire area so it?s great for the honour to come to Devon.?

The Kingdoms from Lydcott Farm have been keeping Kerry Hills for ten years and fell in love with their striking panda like appearance.

?We have taken them around to local agricultural shows like Chagford and Okehampton with some success in the Any Other Breed classes,? said Jo.

?People remember them from the 1930s and 1950s but they are returning in popularity ? they are a sheep with a bright future.?

The award was announced at a recent dinner hosted by the Kerry Hill Flock Book Society in Wales which was attended by the couple.

As well as wanting to do something a bit different and enjoying a challenge Jo feels it is important to preserve the rare breeds.

?Once they have gone, they have gone forever ? you never get them back again and that is the main reason why I like to keep them,? she said.