IT was a successful day for farmer Richard Cole and his Hampshire Downs in the sheep section.

Richard, from Chaddlehanger, near Lamerton, saw his entry win the overall champion for the Hampshire Down breed and first ewe lamb. He also had two other firsts for a shearing ram and an older ewe.

Richard said of the quality of the breed: 'They are fast growing, carry a lot of natural meat, have good confirmation and are fairly easy to manage.

This is his third year of showing at the show but he has also exhibited at the Devon and Royal Cornwall shows and his sheep were selected for the national Hampshire Down national championships this year.