Farmers in Northamptonshire have made a fresh attempt to buy up a cattle market due to close at the end of the month.

The current owners of the Brackmills site, in Northampton, announced last week they would move sales to Market Harborough - despite an 18-month-long campaign by local farmers to keep it at its original site.

At a meeting on Monday evening, a consortium of farmers put in a new offer to owners Northamptonshire Auctions.

Richard Sawbridge of the consortium said: "Everything points to the fact that Northampton town should continue to have its market."

Bid considered

He said the farmers were "fairly confident" they could raise the money to buy out the owners.

Keith Rose, managing director of Northamptonshire Auctions, said he had not yet examined the farmers' bid.

"Richard said it was a very good offer.

"It may well be in their eyes a very good offer, but the board of directors and the shareholders who wish to sell their shares must consider what's in front of them before any further decisions are made."

Livestock regulations

Operators say the market has been losing thousands of pounds a month since reopening in February 2002 after the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The directors said new regulations governing the movement of livestock had contributed to the market's problems.

They believe the move to Market Harborough - due on 1 November - will mean lower overheads and greater sustainability.

The pens, weighbridges and other equipment at Brackmills are due to be sold by tender on 4 November.

The antiques, fine art and other auctions will continue to be held in Northampton.