TWO firms of auctioneers are to fight to keep Penistone Market open.
The firms - Sykes of Holmfirth and Wilbys of Barnsley - both run auctions at the centuries-old market.
Now they are meeting to try and come up with a rescue package for the market, which Barnsley Council plans to close.
The authority took the decision on advice from the Meat and Livestock Commission, which decided that the market was no longer viable.
But the two auctioneers hope to be able to get permission from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to run the market themselves.
Clr Roy Miller, of Barnsley Council, said: "We have supported the livestock market for the past two years following the national foot and mouth crisis.
"Use of the facility at Penistone has been low during this time and thorough investigations have taken place.
"The results of these studies can lead us only to one regrettable conclusion.
"It is important that Penistone continues to be a vibrant market town.
"To keep it that way we need to focus our resources on improving the retail and specialist markets in Penistone."
