CATTLE marts closed during the foot-and-mouth crisis are preparing to reopen for the first time in 12 months.

Auctioneers at markets across the region will be opening their doors to farmers following inspections by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Defra declared last week that marts would be allowed to open from Monday, but red tape has meant that many markets were unable to open on that date and some are still waiting for a completion date.

Most of the marts contacted by The Northern Echo last night said they were due to open within the next ten days.

Hexham and Northern Mart, in Hexam, was one of the few permitted to hold sales this week.

It will be holding its first auction of the year on Friday, at 10am.

Market officials have complained that the Government failed to give them sufficient notice to advertise sales in time for Monday.

Auction marts have to be inspected by Defra officals before they can be issued with a licence, and they have to follow strict bio-security procedures.

George Potts, of Darlington Farmers' Auction, plans to open for business next week.

He said: "I am hoping to be open on Monday.

"We got the guidelines two weeks ago, but then they sent us amendments and now they have sent us amendments of the amendments.

"I wish that I was in the mart now, but I will have to wait a few more days."

Thirsk Farmers' Auction Mart has been hit by a row between Defra officials over sheep in an adjacent field, and does not yet know when it can have its first auction day of the year.

Rodney Cordingley, from the mart, said: "The rules say that we can't sell any stock through the market if anything has been on the farm within 20 days.

The mart will hold a meeting for customers on Monday, to decide what action to take.

Other marts due to reopen are: Penrith Farmers and Kidd's in Middleton-in-Teesdale on Monday, its branch in Stokesley opens on Saturday, February 23, Barnard Castle mart, Teesdale, on Tuesday and Leyburn mart, Wensleydale, on Thursday next week