Sheep's 1,000 lambs earn £500,000

Tophill Joe is expected to keep producing more lambs

A record-breaking sheep has earned his owners around £500,000 by producing more than 1,000 lambs.

Texel ram Tophill Joe became Britain's most expensive sheep when he sold at auction to an Aberdeenshire consortium for £128,100 in 2003.

He has since said to have produced more than 1,000 lambs which have sold for hundreds and even thousands of pounds.

Robbie Wilson, who farm manages for one owner, said: "Tophill Joe is still going strong."

He still has two or three years left as he is fit Robbie Wilson

Three-year-old Tophill Joe's characteristics include a perfectly shaped head and legs, tight skin and a top-quality fleece.

He was sold to the consortium by David and Jean Houghton of Bury, Lancashire.

Farm manager Mr Wilson told BBC Scotland on Wednesday: "There have been more than 1,000 lambs making about £500,000.

"It's not bad - and he is still going strong.

"He still has two or three years left as he is fit.

"I do not think he will make it to £1m - but you never know."

Texel sheep originate from the island of Texel, off Holland, and have been known since Roman times.

They were introduced to Britain in the 1970s, and are renowned for their lean meat.