IT WAS back to business for Lancaster's auction mart this week.

It was a full house as the auction re-opened following a near 12 month closure due to the foot and mouth epidemic.

Trading was brisk with up to 500 farmers gathering to buy and sell stock.

The re-opening came in the same week the farming community held its breath after a vet reported suspected new cases of the disease at a farm in North Yorkshire.

Investigations have since revealed that it was a false alarm.

Trading at the mart is now expected to continue regularly in the future.