A Sudbury sheep farmer is over the moon after beating back competition from all over the British Isles to scoop the top breed award for his flock of Suffolk Sheep.

Stephen Cobbald - who keeps about 100 Suffolks - has been awarded the Suffolk Sheep Society's highest award.

Its champion of champions Bristol Gold Cup is traditionally presented by the Marquess of Bristol - and is much-coveted by sheep breeders.

Judge Stewart Lathangie travelled the length and breadth of the country visiting farms - including Stephen's farm at Acton Hall, near Sudbury, which he visited in mid-July - before choosing this year's winner.

Keen lifelong sheep farmer Stephen entered the competition - but was stunned when he took the top prize.

"I can't believe it. I think I thought to myself if I was somebody who was a drinker I would go home and have a large drink," he said.

"It's the first time a flock in Suffolk has won it for many, many years.

"The flock competition has been going on probably for over 100 years.

"It's in four categories depending on how many sheep you have got and it's open to anyone in the UK including Northern Ireland. Each category has a winner and the person winning the most points then gets awarded Champion Flock," he explained.

His flock was in the second smallest category - but won through against tough competition from top breeders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The judging process can take weeks as the judge has to travel so far. Mr Lathangie flew down to Stansted Airport to get to Stephen's farm.

"It was a great, great honour," said Stephen, who is assisted by talented young sheep farmer Amy Byford, who helps him look after his 400 or so sheep.

"The great thing to me about it is this is where Suffolk Sheep - Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill and Newmarket - was the main centre for between 1800 and 1850. They called them black-faced sheep," he said. "This is where it all started."

The breed was originally a cross between a Southdown Sheep and a Norfolk Horn, he said. The Suffolk Sheep Society was in fact originally formed in Stowmarket at the high street pub in 1886. However, the society is now based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Stephen's grandfather, Arthur Henry Cobbald, had 520 Suffolk Sheep registered in 1888. he moved from Eldo House on the edge of what become Rougham Airfield to Acton Hall about 100 years ago. Stephen's father, also Arthur Henry, fought in the First World War and returned to register 300 Suffolks in 1922.

Despite being long past state retirement age, Stephen still works a seven-day week - except Sunday mornings when he attends church. He'll be at Bury Cathedral with his Suffolk Sheep on October 1 to celebrate Harvest Festival.

It gave him "the greatest satisfaction" that Suffolk - the county where it all began - has at long last won the top award, he said.

Now he plans to hold a big party on his farm to celebrate the achievement and receive the award. Rolfes of Walsham will be helping with the catering and there will be a spit roast Suffolk lamb.

More than 100 people have accepted an invitation to attend the bash on September 24 - with some coming from as far as Scotland and Ireland.

"I am really going to entertain everyone who comes here because this is probably the only time I'm going to win the cup. This is a good excuse for a damn good party."

Stephen also took a reserve champion award from the Suffolk Sheep Society for his ewe lambs and the reserve prize for his stud rams this year.