The cattle market is a centuries-old tradition

A market has been held in Monmouth since 1549, but it is finally closing to make way for a new bridge across the River Monnow.

Council planners want to build the �1.3m bridge to provide a new entrance to Monmouth and replace the current single-lane bridge over the Monnow.

The last cattle auction on Friday morning ended 127 years of livestock auctioneering on the site near the town centre.

Auctioneer John Jenkins said: "(Monmouth) is a market town and now that livestock will not be sold here any more, part of the character will be lost."

Farmers' unions have warned that the closure of the Monmouth livestock market could mean that local livestock will have to be transported even greater distances to be sold.

The current road into Monmouth is single-lane

Extra transportation could be contrary to new regulations introduced in the wake of the foot and mouth disease epidemic in 2001.

Neil Smith, of the Farmers' Union of Wales, said: "The problem is increased journey times and increased stress on the animals.

"There are new regulations being discussed over a 90-mile round trip limit on stock being transported.

"That's only 45 miles - with these markets closing, that's not an awful distance."

But Monmouthshire Council says that a new road link into Monmouth is needed to allow development of tourism in the town.

A council spokesman said: "We asked people what they wanted to do with Monmouth in the future, the main message was (that they) want a new bridge.

"The old one is being knocked to pieces and (they) want to make Monmouth a tourist town and attract visitors."