It's the end on an era as Newport's historic cattle market comes to the end of the line after 165 years in Pill. Now facing an uncertain future, Ben Frampton spoke with traders and farmers at the market.

FARMERS spoke of their concerns at the imminent closure of Newport's cattle market as traders, some of whose family have been going there for more than a century, enjoyed doing business on the site's penultimate market day.

The historic cattle market, which has called Pill its home for 165 years, will fall silent after next Wednesday's auction as the site makes way for a new Asda store.

Now buyers, sellers and Newport Market Auctioneers face an uncertain wait as a new home has yet to be found.

Peter Cromwell, 85, of Chepstow Road, Newport, who first came to the market with his father aged ten, said: "I think it's a crying shame, you can see all the people and stock here. BSE and foot and mouth crippled us, but it got back on its feet and this is what happens, it gets kicked up the backside."

It was hoped the market could move to a temporary base in Wentlooge and Newport Council officers intended to recommend approval for the move to the planning committee, despite petitions signed by hundreds opposing the scheme.

However, at the meeting they said last-minute information about another potential business on the site meant they had to reassess the traffic situation.

In order to speed up the process, it was decided to defer a decision to a special meeting later this month.

Another alternative is to temporarily house the market at Greenacre Farm in St Brides for three years and a public meeting is being held in Marshfield tonight to discuss the idea.

Monmouthshire Council is looking to provide a new permanent cattle market for livestock farmers who trade in Newport and Abergavenny, but its first proposals for a replacement market at Raglan was held up after opponents sought a judicial review.

A fresh application for a site in Bryngwyn is likely to be considered by the planning committee this spring.

Mr Cromwell worked for the auctioneer and as a buyer for different farmers and dealers until December, but still comes to the market every week and will be there for its swan song.

Between him and his father, his family have been working at the market for around 130 years.

"There should be another new market to step right into - they've got nowhere to go after next week.

I'll be here next week, but it won't be very good, your losing friends, people you've known for 60 or 70 years," he said.

Edmond Davies, 83, of Pye Corner, Nash, is another with a strong family connection to the cattle market, with family ties stretching back more than 100 years.

"I've been coming here since I was six years old, my son is a livestock farmer and he comes to this market, I brought him here when he was 16 or 17.

"I'm very sad to see it close, I never thought it would, but it has and there's nothing we can do about it, it will be a very sad week next week," he said.

"I'll be coming next week with my son, but it will be very sad - like going to a funeral. We've got to look for another market, I think that's the only option."

Trevor Leigh, 79, a retired farmer from Magor who has been coming to the market since he was 16, said: "It's a pity to let it go when there's nowhere to go to, we need a new home in the area."

The last ever cattle market at Pill will be held on Wednesday.