Campaign group KALM has finally given up its legal campaign to keep the historic livestock market in Abergavenny.

Speaking on behalf of the Keep Abergavenny Livestock Market group, Jenny Long said on Thursday: "We have decided we have taken the legal battle as far as we can and feel we must now move on."

She described the Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) project to close Abergavenny cattle market and build a new one on a greenfield site near Raglan as 'a tragic mistake for the town, its residents, the farmers in the surrounding area and its thousands of visitors'.

"KALM wishes to thank the hundreds of people who have taken part in the campaign over the years, and also those who have generously donated to help with our costs," she said.

"However, following a number of recent developments, it is now apparent that there are no more practical ways to prevent MCC going ahead with its plans. Consequently, it is time for all those who love Abergavenny to move on and to find other ways to contribute to its future development.

"In particular, KALM urges MCC and Morrisons to enter into discussions with the concerned parties in the town to improve the design of the supermarket site to make it more worthy of the town's character and distinctiveness."

Ms Long said there were 'real concerns' about the design of the building, its merchandise offering to the public and the management of traffic generated by the future store.

"KALM further hopes that Morrisons will enter into discussions with those concerned to ensure that the opening of a superstore on the edge of the town centre will really contribute to the economic and social vibrancy of the town centre as supporters of the scheme have said it would," she said.

She stressed that KALM members remained committed to working with anyone who wishes to see the town grow and prosper.