KELSO Ram Sales lived up to its international reputation yet again on Friday as turnover came within a whisker of matching last year's record.

Buyers and sellers from across the UK and further afield converged on the Borders Union Showground for Europe's biggest one-day sheep sale.

And from the 10am bell, this year rung by veteran breeder Jimmy Jeffrey, the 15 rings were a constant hive of activity throughout the day.

Texels yet again proved to be the most lucrative with a top price of £29,000 being reached for a Shearling from North Grangour in Lanarkshire.

The highest price paid for a Bluefaced Leicester Shearling was £8,000 by the McClymont family of Tinnis above Selkirk.

By the end of the day's sale, a total of 3979 Shearlings and 411 Lambs had gone under the hammer.

Allan Campbell's Texel topped the Lambs price lists after going for £5,000, closely followed by another Texel from North Dorlaithers, which went for £4,600.

A total of seven different auctioneering companies managed to keep up with the demand from buyers.

Following the day's business a total of £2,991,860 had changed hands - just five percent down on 2017's record-breaking year when £3million was reached for the first time.

And the average price of £681.52 was only £28.22 down on last year, but up on previous years.

Mags Clark from the Border Union Agricultural Society was at the helm for the first time this year.

She said: "The quality of the animals on sale at Kelso Ram Sales is always second to none and that's why we welcome buyers and sellers from across the UK and Ireland for this significant event in the country’s agricultural calendar.

"We are extremely grateful to all our sponsors, trade stands, supporters and off course the buyers and sellers for their support of the 2018 Sale.

"We look forward to seeing you on the September 13, 2019."

Top prices paid for Shearling breeds were: Beltex £4,000, Berrichon £450, Blue Texel £700, Bluefaced Leicester £8,000, Border Leicester £1,300, Charmoise £300, Charollais £1,800, Dassenkop £460, Dutch Texel £1,800. Hampshire Down £400, Lleyn£1,000, Millennium Bleu £400, North Country Cheviot £1,200, Roussin £550, Suffolk £5,000, Texel £29,000, Vendeen £800, Berrichon £900, Crosses £3,400, Dutch Texel £1,100, Hampshire Down £350, Suffolk £3,000.