FARMERS from across all the South West gathered at Chippenham's livestock market on Thursday for the Christmas Fatstock Show.

It was a hugely successful day for the Cheacker family, who live near Bristol. Darrell Cheacker, 48, who has been coming to the Christmas Fatstock Show with his family for ten years, had the Show Champion, a Limousin heifer weighing 570 kilos. It was the fifth year he has had the champion.

He also had Reserve Champion with a Limousin steer (540 kilos), Opposite Sex Champion and Unhandled Champion. The reserve Unhandled Champion was entered by Wick Farm.

Mr Cheacker said: "We look forward to the show very much each year. For us it's a hobby and we enjoy doing it.

"This year all our entries were home grown on the farm. I was very pleased with the reaction to our animals and there was a good turnout at the show this year and numbers seemed up."

One of the youngest showing in the ring was Nicola Windell, 12, from Badminton, in Gloucestershire.

She scooped three prizes, including first in the non-continental steer with a Hereford Friesian cross.

Nicola intends to save half of the £40 prize money and spend the rest on Christmas presents.

Her mother, Liz, 40, said: "We were unable to compete last year because our farm was struck with TB, and it was only opened a week after the entry forms for the show were due in. We're just thrilled to be back again this year."

Champion pen of lambs was entered by John Terrett and reserve pen by Jack Knight who also took the cattle Stockman's prize. The Sheep Stockman's prize went to Will Godwin.

Mother-of-four Anneli Hendy, 31, and her husband, John, 31, who have attended the show for the past seven years, won two second prizes.

Mrs Hendy said: "The show is very important because it keeps the element of competition going.

"It was possibly the strongest batch of cattle for a few years, and they're all worth showing."

AFTER the roll of honour for the show's prizewinners, the stock was put under the hammer.

There was some very keen bidding this year.

The show champion fetched 195p a kg and fetched £1,008.65.

The reserve champion went for 150p a kg.

The best pen of lightweight lambs sold for £55 and the heavyweight lambs for £56. The champion pen of lambs went for £55.

The market manager and secretary of the show, Peter Tytherleigh, said he was delighted with the growing number of people and entries at the show.

He said: "It's a great event to celebrate at the end of the year, which makes it all worthwhile.

"Last year was the first year after foot and mouth but this year it looks like everyone is starting to recover and things are getting back to normal.

"After eating turkey for two or three days everyone wants to eat something different. Roast beef is always a popular meal and in some circumstances people would rather have beef for Christmas dinner.

"A joint of beef on the table is still one of the nation's favourite meals."

The livestock market moved to its present site in 1953, but plans are underway to move it to a location near junction 17 of the M4.

Mr Tytherleigh said: "We have been here for 50 years so any move is bound to be a bit of a wrench.

"But it's also very exciting to think we may soon be standing up in a new market.

"You don't see many being built nowadays.

"The new site will be easy to access and I think it will be quite a draw card for farmers from a wide area of Wiltshire and the West Country."