A FURNESS dairy farming family are celebrating winning three championship prizes at an industry awards event.

Brothers David and John Mutton, of Billincoat Farm, Dalton, scooped three awards at the recent Lancashire Milk Records Competition.

The Newton Road farm has a herd of pedigree Holstein cows. Following a site inspection it was judged to have the champion small herd, champion cow and champion production inspection. The champion cow was Billincoat Garrison Veronese.

The brothers and business partners collected the awards at a prize-giving night at Garstang. The Lancashire competition takes in some parts of Cumbria, such as Furness, that used to be in the Red Rose county.

David Mutton, whose family have farmed for several generations, said: "We are very pleased with these awards. They came to us for a visit to judge us. "

Dairy farming has been a troubled sector due to the milk price crisis over the last few years.

Mr Mutton said: "We have a contract with Sainsbury's and we have had a steady milk price. He added that it had not been the same for others however.

"With the milk prices it has been a rollercoaster for farmers. Things are improving and it's a good time. There is a shortage of milk. Sadly a lot of farms went out of production."

He said until farmers get some legislation the issues surrounding price fluctuations will continue.