THIRSK auction mart has opened its doors for the first time since the beginning of the foot-and-mouth outbreak - as a livestock collection centre.

Although animals cannot be bought or sold on the premises, the government has given permission for animals to be collected at the mart before being taken to slaughter at an appropriate abattoir.

The mart is the first collection centre in North Yorkshire, and is governed by strict regulations, with animals being checked by a vet before being loaded on a lorry and taken to an abattoir.

Mr Rodney Cordingly from the mart explained: "We are only licensed to operate on Mondays and Thursdays, but it means smaller loads of livestock can be brought here to make up a wagon load.

"On Monday we had ten different producers come in to make up a wagon load going to an abattoir in Oldham. It all has to be licensed and pre-booked with us, then we organise where it's going.

"The regulations are very tight; we have to have a vet here and then it's supervised by trading standards and the Meat and Livestock Commission. It's the first step towards getting some movement back through the markets."