THERE was double cause for celebration for a husband and wife team.

For Andrew and Caroline Hunter, who farm The Steel, in Bellingham, followed up success in the sheep farmer of the year category by clinching the overall prize at the Northern Farmer Awards.

The Hunters are well-known throughout the region, and are big supporters of Bellingham Show.

They were overjoyed to win the sheep award, but were more than made up to be crowned champion of champions at the prestigious awards ceremony.

The Hunters collected their awards in front of an audience of 400 people at Pavilions of Harrogate at the weekend.

The other winners on the evening were: WI Suddes and Sons, of Cornsay (arable farmer); David and Penny Evans, of Nunthorpe, (beef farmer); Tom Neill, of Mindrum, (dairy farmer); Stephen and Tracey Pepper, of Oxenhope, (diversification); AJ Spilman and Son, of Sessay (family-run farm); James Marshall, of Cumbria (farm manager); Nicholson family, of Barnsley (outstanding achievement); Louie Van Geffen, of Carlton-in-Cleveland (young farmer).