Jack Lucas has sent four pedigree Texel sheep, including one ram and three gimmer shearling ewes, to a sheep farmer in Holland.

The four sheep have been sent to Carla Van Jansen who first spotted Mr Lucas and his award winning sheep on the internet last year, but the foot-and-mouth scare and the blue tongue disease outbreak put a stop to a deal being struck.

But this year the sale has been completed and Mr Lucas, who usually sends his sheep across the UK, hopes this will help his small flock of 50 ewes make their mark on the international market.

Mr Lucas said: "It is an interesting project and this is the first time we have sent our sheep abroad in the 30 years we have been keeping Texel sheep.

"It is encouraging that Ms Van Jansen has picked us. She has bought sheep from England before and she has come to us because she is looking for fresh blood for her stock."

According to Mr Lucas, his sheep will be used in a breeding programme in which Ms Van Jansen hopes to cross breed the taller British Texel sheep with the shorter and stockier Dutch variety to produce a sheep that stands a little higher off the ground.

Mr Lucas and his sheep will be competing at Driffield Show and he hopes to continue his winning streak after winning two championships in a row.

sara.beach@yrnltd.co.uk