A FIVE-year-old sheep handler from Clitheroe rubbed shoulders with royalty when he picked up a top agricultural prize.

William Burnop was left speechless when he picked up first prize for Junior Handlers from the Prince of Wales at The Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

The youngster was given the prestigious award at England's premier agricultural show, after he reared a Texel Cross Zwarbles lamb from birth.

Judges said that William whose parents have a farm on the outskirts of Clitheroe, had an ‘extremely bright future in sheep handling.’ Mum, Nicola, dad, Michael, both 33, and his two-year-old sister, Emma, watched from the sidelines as the ‘shy’ youngster shook hands with Prince Charles before receiving his prize badge.

William said: “It was really nice to meet the Prince and he asked me some nice questions.”

The youngster, who cares for 10 sheep on his parents sheep and cattle breeding farm, also won first prize for sheep handling at the Hodder Valley show, last year.

Nicola said: “He took it all in his stride really.

“He has enjoyed showing his lambs from a very young age and he has a good way with them and it has been a natural progession for him to become a handler as we are from a farming family.

“We are all very proud of him and because he has done it so well.”