THE auctioneer's hammer has finally rung true in York - as livestock auctions once again got under way.
Butchers flocked to York Livestock Centre, in Murton, as the return of the fat stock auction brought some normality back to the region's farming industry.
Taking place on Monday, for the first time since foot and mouth disease devastated farming, strict bio-security measures were in place.
Protective clothing and disinfectant may have restricted traders, but those who turned out were just glad the meat business was back.
Auction spokeswoman, Juliet Stephenson, said: "This is the first fat stock market after foot and mouth. Fat stock are animals that are sold to butchers for meat
"We are still dealing with restrictions and that will be the case for the forseeable future.
"But it is business as usual as much as it can be. Prices are not brilliant and we can't get the stock that we want, but it is nice to be getting back into it."
Updated: 09:22 Thursday, April 25, 2002
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