Europe’s biggest ram sale in Llanelwedd will not go ahead this year due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The National Sheep Association Wales & Border Ram Sales will instead be held online.

Organisers said it was a “very tough” decision to cancel but the wellbeing of buyers and sellers was the main priority.

The sales were due to be held at the Royal Welsh Showground on August 2 and September 20.

In a statement, organisers said: “It is with deep regret that the NSA Wales & Border Ram Sale Committee has made the very tough decision to cancel the sales in 2020.

“The decision was left for as long as possible, in the hope that the situation might improve by August. However, with current social distancing regulations and restrictions on large events, the health, safety and well being of buyers and sellers and everyone involved in the sales is the main priority. Cancellation is the safest decision”.

A free online register will be created to link National Sheep Association member vendors to potential buyers. More information about the online sales will be announced soon.