FARMERS and traders are eagerly awaiting the reopening of Malton Cattle Market after a gap of more than a year.

The market is set to open for business at noon on Friday, March 15, after the devastating effects of foot and mouth meant all livestock markets were halted in 2001.

Derek Watson, NFU county vice-chairman, said: "It's great for farmers that the market is finally reopening, and it will be good for traders too. There's not much good news in agriculture but this is a little bit of hope. It brings transparency to prices but there's also the social side of it, farming can be a lonely job and markets are a chance for farmers to get together."

Denys Townsend, from Malton Chamber of Trade, said traders in the town would benefit from the increase in trade brought by the markets. He said: "We are delighted to see a return towards normality. We trust it will bring back some vitality and life to Malton."

Auctioneer James Stephenson said he was pleased to get the market up and running again. He said: "It's excellent news for both agriculture and the town community to see a bit of life coming back to the centre. We have set an open meeting to see what the farmers want."

The pre-opening meeting was held at Malton cattle ring on Tuesday, March 12.

Updated: 10:49 Thursday, March 14, 2002