Despite torrential rain, a large crowd gathered at Ston Easton for the Annual Dorset Down Sheep Breeders Association Sale.

Trade was hot for the ewes and rams on offer with many first time buyers out in force including some returning to native downland sheep attracted by the breed's outstanding fleshing ability off grass, their legendary fertility and prolificy and fast growth rate, all of which are readily passed on when crossed.

A spokesman for the sale said: “Top price was for a shearling ram from KJ Osborne & Sons (Radstock) Goodwick Flock selling at £620 to Simon Pearce Gloucester to join his Widdenhill Flock.

“This was an outstanding example of the breed, a ram of tremendous scale, size and growth rate whilst retaining true Dorset Down qualities.”

The next highest price went to WD Burrough & Sons Axminster (Benley) for their shearling ram, the Devon County Show 2012 Breed Champion, selling at £600 to PJ Hope Hereford, returning to the breed after a period of keeping Suffolks.

He said that he had identified the breed's outstanding characteristics as the future of profitable UK prime lamb production.

Alec Walters Dorchester sold a shearling from his prize winning flock, ahead of his planned major reduction sale on September 8, to Messrs R & A Wood Bristol.

Females were much in demand headed by Simon Pearce's shearling at £320 to PJ Hope who also bought others from the same flock at £260 and £220.