INVESTMENT to the tune of more than £100,000 will help to improve Harrison and Hetherington's operational facilities at Wooler Auction Mart.

The plans which have been submitted for county approval and it is hoped that work will start as soon as the relevant planning consents have been received.

Part of the investment will see the development of new mart offices, a meeting room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom being integrated into the main mart building. In addition, H and H will improve and extend the current carpark, develop the loading bay areas to give better access and bring the lorry washing facilities on-site.

“This significant investment will enhance our current onsite facilities, it is intended to future proof the mart as a leading livestock trading centre," said David Pritchard, joint managing director for H and H.

"As a company, we want to ensure that all of our marts offer the same standard of facilities for users, wherever they might be selling livestock. Here at Wooler, the new meeting room and dining facilities will be available to outside rural businesses and organisations, which will further cement the mart in the local community.