Farmer's delight at cow success

A first time show exhibitor was celebrating today after winning champion breed for his Ayrshire cow.

Phillip Jeffries, of Berriew, Welshpool, said he was thrilled to have won the top prize for his cow, Penrahallt Helen.

Click here to see pictures from the show.

He added: "She has had four calves and it's our first time at the West Mid Show so I'm extremely chuffed. We decided to show because the organisers have brought the competition down from two days to one so I can afford to come.

"I could not spare the time to be here for two days. I think that's made a big difference to a lot of people and has pushed the dairy interests up a lot this year."

This is the first year the dairy category has all been completed on the first day of the show.

Mr Jeffries said of his cow: "She walks very nicely. She's a wonderful example of an Ayrshire breed.

"I think I will come back next year and defend the title. We got wiped out with foot and mouth in 2001 and we are just getting back into it."

Nigel Matthews, of Stanton Lacy, Ludlow, was also showing his herd of pedigree Limousines for the first time. He celebrated winning breed champion and champion and three firsts, two seconds and a third.

He said: "This is our first show. We have been building up for the last four years. We are very pleased."

Neil and Joy Vance, who run J S Vance and Son based in Minsterley, were also celebrating winning the champion male and the exhibitor breed champion for their Winnington Limousine bull.

Mrs Vance said: "We have been showing at the West Mid Show for the last four or five years. The show is very good and there's plenty of people about."

By Rebecca Lawrence