CONSTRUCTION work started this week in earnest to build Monmouthshire's new Livestock Market at Bryngwyn.

Councillor Bob Greenland, Monmouthshire County Council's deputy leader sat on board the mechanical digger to signal the start of the project's long-awaited construction phase.

He said: "It's 12 years since the authority decided to close Monmouth and Abergavenny Livestock Markets and to build a centralised replacement.

"And now in 2012 a 21st Century purpose-built facility is finally underway.

"It is up to the users to support it and I am sure they will make it a success.

"Farming is a big industry and it's currently not practical to have people wandering around Abergavenny's Livestock Market site. It's a dangerous place and it's something we don't encourage.

"However, while the new facility may not have a public viewing gallery, provision is being made for escorted groups to see the market in action when it opens in mid 2013."

Pictured are Councillor Bob Greenland with Glyn Edmunds, head of highways and Andrew Welsh, the Bryn-y-Cwm area engineer.