AN auctioneer from Hexham and Northern Marts is in the running for a national award.

Drew Patrick took the telephone call saying he’d been shortlisted in the New Auctioneer of the Year category in the Mart’s the Heart Awards 2019, three days after he got married.

“We haven’t organised a proper honeymoon yet, but we were away on a little break in Scotland when I got that phone call,” he said.

“Apparently they’d had about 300 nominations and I’ve got to the last four – I had to ask them a couple of times, I was so surprised.

“I just feel very honoured that people have nominated me for this award.”

Organised by the Farmers Guardian, the Mart’s the Heart Awards are designed to showcase the vital role auctioneers and auction marts play in the farming industry.

The winners will be announced during a ceremony in October.

The new auctioneer category recognises the skills, attitude and contribution to the wider agricultural community made by trainee and newly qualified auctioneers.

The judges are looking for someone with drive and a progressive attitude, while making an impact at mart.

Drew’s nomination reads: ‘With a genuine love for the livestock industry, Drew champions the work of producers with honesty and hard work.

‘He feels it is an honour to sell on behalf of a producer and a duty to give 100 per cent, marketing their stock in the best possible way.’

Besides regularly selling cast and prime cattle, cast sheep and store lambs, Drew also launched a new Limousin bull sale and organised the first Wagyu sale in the country.