United Kingdom-Melton best market in 25 years.

THURSDAY 2PM: Farmers were celebrating this week after the best cattle market in a quarter of a century.

Despite low numbers in previous weeks because of the snow, it was a record attendance on Tuesday and prices pushed up to a decent level.

Tim Webster, market manager, said: "It was an unbelievable market. It’s all doom and gloom at the moment, however the market was really buoyant. Generally prices are very good and this week it was added to by a high attendance all round, it was really buzzing.

"Farmers have had a few lean years so it’s good they are getting a better price. Obviously costs, like feed and diesel, have gone up but the weak pound against the strong euro is really helping with lots of exports. I can’t see it abating just yet.

"It is all good for Melton because we are getting more people coming who then head into town and have a look round."

The price of lamb has doubled since this time last year going up from £40 to £80 for a fat lamb with beef making a similar increase from about £1.50 per kilo last year to more than £2.

This week’s market saw some of the highest numbers of livestock up for sale for 25 years with about 230 beef cattle auctioned and 3,000 fat lambs.

Mr Webster added that the market was feeding off its success with people coming from near Rugby because a number of centres there are beginning to fail.