NEWCASTLE Emlyn livestock mart was buzzing at its latest sale with one of its busiest days in recent years.

All the pens were full and animals were penned in the neighbouring alley to cope with the demand.

More than 1,100 sheep, 70 calves, 50 small cattle and 20 barren cows were auctioned off on the day.

The mart as taken over in August last year by Nock Deighton Agricultural LLP and manager Paul Taylor said he was delighted to see the place so busy.

“We knew we were going to be in for a busy day but we did not quite expect that,” said Paul.

“It was also quite emotional. We had some of the old farmers coming up to shake our hands and to say they never thought they would never see again the Newcastle Emlyn mart like it was back in the heyday.

“We are working hard to engage with the local farming community and it is going in the right direction. The driving force for us in coming to West Wales is that it is virtually all livestock in the area and we think the demand is there for the mart to thrive.”

One local shopkeeper said: “We have never seen quite so many sheep in any mart in all the years we have been here.”