LEADING dairy auctioneers, Greenslade Taylor Hunt, which runs Sedgemoor Auction Centre, at Junction 24, North Petherton, achieved a record price of £3,000 through its weekly dairy market.

The new market record price was achieved with a commercial calved heifer from AT & VJ Pratt, of Honiton.

John Gardener purchased the record-breaking heifer on behalf of a client.

With milk prices rising, the dairy trade has also increased and the weekly dairy market now regularly tops at over £2,500.

Many farmers had commented on how long it would take to reach the £3,000 barrier.

So far this is the only commercial heifer to reach this milestone.

GTH presented the vendor, Martin Pratt and his son, Edward, with a certificate of recognition to acknowledge the achievement.

Auctioneer Derek Biss said: “This was a superb heifer with a number of bidders keen to obtain her.

"The bidding was fierce throughout the day and we were delighted for Mr Pratt to reach this milestone.”

Sedgemoor holds its weekly market every Saturday and typically has between 40 to 80 entries each week making it the largest weekly dairy market in the country.