A GWENT cattle market is set to open for business for the first time in almost 13 months on Mon-day.

Newland Rennie Wil-kins, operators of the Monmouth market, have been given a licence to conduct sheep sales on the day.

The market is expected to have its first cattle sale on April 12.

Auctioneer Steve Williams said he expected between 400 and 600 sheep to be at the market on Monday.

He said: "It's very good news for local farmers. The last 12 months there's been no livestock market. It will give them a lift because they will know what they are having there and then.

"With the fall of the hammer they will know the price they will get."

Considerable investment to meet new regulations has taken place and when it opens new rules will be in place to satisfy Defra regulations.

One of the changes in place will see a one-way system of animal traffic through the market.

Stock will enter the market at the bridge end and leave via the main car park after unloading. Strict bio-security measures will also be in place with all people at the market being required to wear wellington boots and waterproof clothing. Terry Bayliss, president of the Farmers Union of Wales Monmouthshire branch, said farmers in the area would welcome the opening. He said: "People won't have to travel hundreds of miles and any benefit we can get is good." However Mr Bayliss said the 20-day movement restriction is still in place and that needed to be removed if farmers were to operate as before. He added: "What I think will also make it difficult is that Ross on Wye market is also on a Monday so there will be markets close together on the same day." Mr Williams said he was not worried about the effect of the Ross market but added the 20-day rule was still a problem for farmers.