FARMERS took their livestock to market in Darlington yesterday for the first time since the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey earlier this month.

Defra allowed licensed marts to open as dedicated slaughter marts or collection centres from yesterday.

Darlington was among the first to hold a dedicated slaughter sale and expected 350 cattle and 700 sheep to be sold.

Meanwhile the mart at Middleton in Teesdale operated as a collection centre with individual farmers delivering a total of 500 sheep.

Other marts throughout the region will either hold dedicated slaughter markets or act as collection centres over the next few days.

Beverley Rutter, from Barnard Castle mart, is looking forward to farmers returning for Wednesday's slaughter market for sheep. Like all marts, it has been closed since August 1.

She said: "It's been very hard. This is normally our main period for lambs and we were just getting into the swing of things when we had to stop.

"A lot of older farmers come down here for the social side more than anything. They'll meet friends, have some food and just catch up, so it'll be good for them that they can come back, because they might not have seen each other for a month or so."

The mart expects about 1,500 sheep next week, and will have a vet on hand to double-check the animals.

Because of the inspection needed to be undertaken by the vet, traders are asked to unload all livestock 10am-12.30.

Other marts holding slaughter markets in the next few days include Skipton on Monday; Hawes on Tuesday featuring 1,000 prime and lightweight lambs, and Northallerton on the same day; Leyburn on Wednesday; Thirsk on Thursday featuring 300 pigs; 1,600 lambs and ewes; and 550 cattle; Darlington on Thursday and Kirby Stephen.

It is hoped Defra will allow normal livestock sales to resume from September 10.

The North-East NFU welcomed the opening of collection centres and slaughter markets, but urged farmers to do their homework.

Fiona Campbell, regional food and farming adviser, said they should not just send animals to a collection centre and hope for the best.

"They should speak to their local auctioneer and understand the quality criteria that they are being asked to match."

Malcolm Corbett, livestock chairman, said: "Responsibility lies with both farmers and auction marts to improve the efficient marketing of stock.

"To go forward, all partiesmust behave responsibly and help rebuild the confidence so needed in the livestock sector."