THE future of Masham farmers' auction mart, regarded for generations as an important part of the local agricultural community, has been assured with the announcement that the lease has been taken over by the Skipton-based Craven Cattle Marts.

Masham, established 81 years ago as a private limited company, has been closed for business since February last year because of the foot-and-mouth crisis and its aftermath.

Rumours that it was to close permanently were scotched in January, when it was revealed that the directors were investigating opportunities to re-open it and were hoping to fill the gap which will be left by the impending loss of Ripon mart.

Under the partnership arrangement with Craven Cattle Marts, which runs auction marts at Skipton and Sedbergh, the opening sale of store cattle at Masham takes place on Tuesday, April 9, sponsored by local feed merchants I'Anson Bros.

On the sheep front, the first weekend collection of prime hoggs and ewes is due to start on April 14.

Jeremy Eaton, general manager of Craven Cattle Marts, said: "Livestock sales will resume at Masham subject to Defra approval, which we expect to receive in early April, albeit with stringent operational restrictions remaining in place concerning movement of stock and standards of hygiene.

"It represents a significant expansion of CCM livestock sales activities in an area noted for its high quality breeding and store stock, particularly the renowned Masham sheep breed, and also gives us a major opportunity to access stock throughout the area."

It was announced in December that one of North Yorkshire's oldest marts at Ripon was to be closed and the site in North Road sold for housing.

Mr Eaton said: "There is little doubt that the closure of Ripon gives Masham much greater potential to expand its livestock activities."

He said Masham would remain the centre of Masham Sheep Breeders' Association sales and CCM intended to open it as a collection centre for prime animals for butchers.

The peak years for Masham, founded in 1921 and run by directors and shareholders until its enforced temporary closure last year, were between 1975 and 1980. During that period, annual sales of 3,200 cattle and up to 15,000 sheep were regularly achieved.

But Masham chairman Martin Falshaw, a Swinton farmer, said that in recent years the mart had been struggling to achieve economic numbers of stock for sale and this, combined with foot-and-mouth problems, had left directors facing drastic decisions.

"For the mart to re-open on the same basis as before, the results could only have meant further losses for the company.

"After much discussion and careful consideration, the directors decided that a partnership agreement was the only solution."