A champion malting barley grower is celebrating victory in an annual competition between two north Norfolk farmers' clubs.

William Mack, of Hempstead Hall, near Holt, won both winter and spring barley contests at Holt and District Farmers' Club in October.

His championship-winning sample of the spring variety Propino was then judged against a sample of Maris Otter barley grown by Ormesby farmer John Key, who was crowned Stalham Farmers' Club's barley champion in March.

After winning the coveted inter-club trophy, Mr Mack said: 'It was a nice bold sample, which was low in nitrogen and moisture. The weather conditions just seemed to suit it and it did really well, with a lovely yield of nearly three tonnes an acre.'

The competition was judged by Chris Borrett from grain merchants Adams and Howling, who said: 'The size, consistency and colour of the grain made it a very good sample of spring barley, which last year was quite difficult to achieve.'