PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for Thirsk Auction Mart to move after almost a century at its present home.

Hambleton District councillors gave their backing to the proposals, which involve a new mart being built on a 20- acre site off the A19 bypass, where it meets Blakey Lane.

It will have two auction rings, covered animal handling areas, an outreach educational centre for York-based Askham Bryan College, vehicle wash facilities for animal transporters and catering facilities.

Since the mart reopened at Station Road after the foot-and-mouth crisis, it has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the top three marts in the country.

Mart manager Rodney Cordingley said: "We have been working for this for two and a half years now so I am thrilled that we have got there. It is good news for Thirsk as well because we can do so much more with the new site. Askham Bryan College want to be on there and other agricultural businesses want to be involved with the market so it is good for the area and good for the farmers."

Councillors approved the plans after details on landscaping around the site were submitted. A target date of September 2005 has been set for the mart to be ready.