YORK Livestock Centre was buzzing again today as cattle went on sale for the first time in just over a year.

More than 250 farmers headed for the sale ring at the centre in Murton, York, as partner and auctioneer at the sale, James Stephenson, welcomed them after a 12-month break.

He said: "All the equipment is a little bit rusty today, as we are after so long.

"Welcome back, we hope to hold our markets more frequently than every 12 months."

The centre suspended the sales in February last year because of the foot and mouth crisis and today the atmosphere was of both tension and relief as the farmers began to buy and sell again.

Farmers travelled from all over the county and from as far away as Lincolnshire and Barnsley now some restrictions have been lifted - but the aftermath of foot and mouth was still very evident from the disinfection points.

Derek Rivis, a beef and arable farmer at Stone Sleights Farm, near Malton, said it was a relief to be back. "The last year has been very tough and very restrictive. Today is a step forward."

Richard Tasker, partner at the centre, said: "We are naturally glad to have the farmers back and the sales back on. But there are more farmers than our 200 cattle on sale."

The markets are expected to run every Thursday and at the moment will only sell in-store cattle.

Updated: 14:00 Thursday, February 28, 2002