Livestock sales get under way after scare

THE UK's single biggest sale of livestock finally got under way yesterday, only weeks after its postponement left a multi-million pound hole in the local economy.

For the first time in its history, Hawes Auction Mart, in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, opened on a Sunday to hold the largest sale of its kind in the country.

The auction of 32,000 mule gimmer lambs was cancelled on September 16, the night before it was due to take place, due to increased restrictions brought in because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

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The cancellation meant the area's two biggest industries, farming and tourism, missed out on an estimated £2m.

Most farmers were anticipating a loss of £50 per sheep. Prime lambs were expected to sell for just £20, when a decade ago they would have been sold for £80-a-head.

The auction mart itself is also nursing a loss of £50,000, which it hopes to make up this month if there are no other farming crises.

Andrew Pratt, mart chairman, said: "We are delighted to get the go-ahead at last.