A MASSIVE machinery sale at a Ribble Valley auction mart attracted buyers from across Europe and raked in £500,000.

Young auctioneers David Sunderland, 24, of Stonyhurst, and Neil Holden, 23, of Knowle Green, hosted the massive sale of agricultural and construction machinery at Gisburn Auction Mart.

It was the biggest of its kind ever held in East Lancashire and attracted buyers from across the UK, as well as Holland and Ireland.

The pair, who trade under the name Gateway Auctions, said the sale was so successful that they were planning another for January.

Tourism in the Ribble Valley virtually dried up overnight as a result of foot and mouth and a huge question mark hung over the future of the auction marts at Gisburn and Clitheroe.

Clitheroe Auction Mart has picked itself up by holding weekly farmers' markets, which attract shoppers from throughout the North West, looking to buy quality goods direct from producers.