FARMERS from Penrith and the Eden Valley have begun trading at the former Penrith Farmers' and Kidds auction mart after raising around £1million to take over the business.

Andrew Sayer, of Hackthorpe, who is part of the management team of the new Penrith and District Farmers Mart Limited Liability Partnership, said there had been a "good start" at the first sales since taking over from PF &K.

"We look forward to good times ahead," he added.