AN auctioneer today admitted that a livestock market's closure was one of the saddest days of his life.

Paul Dixon was speaking after his attempts to save animal sales at Penistone failed.

Farmers gathered this week for the market's last day.

Mr Dixon, of Holmfirth auctioneers William Sykes and Son, said it had been an emotional day.

"It was packed and there was more livestock there than since before foot and mouth.

"There were a lot of feelings. I was under a cloud all day. I was working on auto-pilot."

The livestock market closed after Barnsley Council said it could no longer afford to keep it going.

A supermarket will go on the site.

Mr Dixon accused the council of letting everybody down.

"I asked them for help - but there was not a chance of it. The market's now dead in the water.

"What they have done is criminal.

"They've poured so much money into Barnsley football club that they're skint.

"They need to get some cash from somewhere - and this site is it," said Mr Dixon.