CLITHEROE auction mart is to hold its first market since the foot and mouth outbreak hit the Ribble Valley.

The Wednesday market programme was put on hold in May, but returns on Wednesday September 26, from 10am onwards.

It will offer a wide range of produce from beef, pork and lamb to ostrich and smoked fish.

Eighteen local producers from all over Lancashire will be there, with other fresh produce including cheeses, pickles, home baking, vegetables, dairy products and crafts.

Clitheroe Auction Mart's Robert Parker said: "We really wanted to help local producers who have not been able to attend markets and who have lost money as a result of the foot and mouth crisis due to Lancashire being a bit of a no-go zone. It's quite exciting to get the Wednesday market up and running again after what has happened."

He added: "Some sales have re-started again the country but this will be our first since May and promises to be the best yet."

Clitheroe Auction Mart moved to new purpose-built auction rooms at the Republishable Centre, Lincoln Way, earlier this year. The building incorporates a separate venue for farmers' markets, as well as offering a range of farm grown products.

A spokesperson for nearby Gisburn Auction Mart, in Gisburn Road, said that their markets were still not up and running at the moment. She added that a date had yet to be set for auctions to resume.