A £5m project to transform a farmer's auction mart into a tourist attraction and training centre is expected to take a step forward next week.

Bosses at Hawes Auction Mart, in Hawes, Wensleydale, have submitted plans to build a centre for training, exhibitions and sales.

Once the first phase is completed, they hope to build a cafe and visitor centre on the site.

Ian Mellish is training manager from the auction mart and company secretary of Rejuvenate Wensleydale, the community company building the training centre.

He said: "No industry has had to change in the last 30 or 40 years like farming.

"Part of this change is the need for training to deal with new legislation and technology. But this isn't just for farmers, it's for the whole community."

Mr Mellish said the training centre would help the auction mart remain financially viable by leasing land on the site to Rejuvenate Wensleydale.

He said the mart would continue to hold livestock sales.

The first phase will cost about £660,000. Much of this funding has already been pledged by sources including the European Regional Development Fund.

Mart bosses decided to diversify after it faced near- financial ruin during the foot and mouth outbreak.

The plans have been submitted to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Members will discuss the development at a meeting in Cracoe Village Hall on Tuesday.

National park authority planning officer Daniel Child is recommending the application is approved.

He said in a report to members: "The proposed development is not considered to create any unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbours or the character or appearance of the locality.

"The design and finish of the development is considered to be appropriate and access and parking arrangements satisfactory."

Mr Child said the redevelopment could create extra jobs and the training centre would benefit the local community.

If approved, work would start on the first phase in the autumn and it is hoped the building would be completed by next Easter.

Plans for the complete project were submitted and approved last year. But officers asked the mart to resubmit the application with just the first phase.