AWARD-WINNING winning goats, bred in Rossendale, have snapped up national honours in their equivalent of Crufts.

Fiftynine-year-old Ann Markey has for 12 years bred Golden Guernseys on an allotment near her home at Burnley Road East, Waterfoot,.

She shows the rare breeds all over the UK and for the third consecutive year her prize goat Markey Gerry has won best adult male at the national show in Warwickshire.

And he was not the only entry from the Markey camp to collect trophies as two of his sons won best male kid and reserve prizes, and two daughters took second and third.

Ann said: "The last three years of showing have been marvellous. I never thought I would win the national title three years running. To win it once was an achievement but three is unbelievable. I was shaking when the result was announced".

Besides the eight goats, Ann also keeps ducks, guinea pigs, turkeys and chickens on the allotment.

She hand rears all of the goat kids but sadly cannot be helped by her grandchildren because they are allergic to goat hair.

She added: "It's a great hobby and looking after them keeps me very busy."

The two young males will be bought by breeders in Dundee and Bath once the showing season is over but Gerry definitely isn't for sale. Ann hopes he will sire more winners in time for next year's events.

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