A stockman who specialises in breeding Charolais cattle has scooped a breed award on the first day of the Suffolk Show.

Darren Knox - who was showing with his daughter, Hannah - was delighted after 15-month-old Drumshane Urbangirl was crowned champion in the Any Other Pure Beef Breed contest on the first day of the show.

Judge Lynda Burditt, who travelled from Newark, said: "I have never judged anything like this before because the continentals and natives were all in the same classes.

"But my champion today was an outstanding young heifer, good top line, good on her legs, a great presence."

John is stockman for John and Jenny Rix's Wissington Charolais herd at Nayland. Wissington Uptown Woman took reserve prize in the contest.

"She's a home-bred animal and she was interbreed champion at Essex Young Farmers Show last weekend," said Darren.

"We just take it as we get it - we don't get our hopes up."

Darren keeps just six cows. "I'm very happy," he said.

The champion and reserve will both be heading to more shows - the South of England next week, then onto the Highlands of Scotland. 

Either animal could achieve further success. "You never know - every show is different," he said.

In the Red Poll cattle ring, Gerald and Sarah Barnes of Tasburgh in Norfolk took the overall champion's rosette with Hopeham Leviticus.

Grant Long of Stoke-by-Nayland was overall winner  in the Aberdeen Angus competition with Rosemead Bella Maid.