Livestock market in top five

Oswestry's Livestock Market has been recognised as one of the country's leading centres by industry representatives.

The Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA), the

representative body for all livestock markets in England and Wales, has

put Oswestry in the top five trading centres. Annual sales from LAA

members consist of more than one million sheep and two million cattle,

which together are valued in excess of £1 billion.

Oswestry is consistently within the top five auction markets for the number of prime sheep sold per annum.

Christopher Dodds, executive secretary of the LAA, said:

"During the past 15 years we have seen the number of livestock market

auction marts in England and Wales decline from 210 to 124. Although

this reduction in numbers may seem dramatic, the current 124 markets

are in fact turning over nearly as many livestock units as the 210 did.

"Oswestry's livestock market is situated close to one of

the most heavily stock populated areas of Great Britain and its role

within the farming community is seen by most as a very important, if

not essential link in the livestock marketing chain.

He added: "Oswestry has become part of the barometer by which national prices are set."