The message is clear: Liskeard Cattle Market must stay.

A public meeting called by Caradon council to discuss the future of the market, attended by South East Cornwall MP Colin Breed, came up with the strong message that it must be retained.

And adding weight to the loud protests over the uncertainty of the market yesterday was former MP Sir Robert Hicks. He visited the market with Tory candidate Ashley Gray, and retired principal auctioneer John Glanville.

Sir Robert said that everywhere the rural economy was becoming more and more fragile and it was essential to retain any component part of the fabric of rural life.

'The market is clearly central in terms of South East Cornwall, it is not just a Liskeard or farmers' issue' he said.

'It's about retaining the fabric of the countryside here in our area'.

Sir Robert said that when the market was under threat about nine years ago, together with John Glanville, he had become heavily involved in making certain that the market was not lost.

Support

'We are here today to demonstrate our support for our successors' he said.

Mr Glanville said if the market was closed all the farmers in the Caradon district would have to travel long distances to sell their stock.

Mr Gray, who launched a campaign in November in support of the market said the petition already had many hundreds of names and forms are being sent to 70,000 households throughout the Caradon area asking for support.

The unanimous mood of Friday's meeting was that closing the market would be disastrous for the farming community in South East Cornwall as a whole, and for the town of Liskeard.

Decision

Mr Breed said it was crystal clear that the majority were in favour of retaining the market. 'Caradon needs to send an early and clear decision over its future to prevent any further uncertainty' he said.

Caradon Council's independent survey on the market area reported that it had only a short to middle term future to about the year 2010 . However the council decided on a public consultation over the issue. The meeting was chaired by council leader Eric Lewis who said no decisions over the market had been made. Also present were Martin Eddy who spoke on local produce markets, and Brian Moriarty, Caradon Estates and Property Officer.

NFU representative James Moon said there had to be a long term vision for the market's future which included its updating and refurbishment, and he showed his ideas for a multi purpose exhibition hall to be included on the site.

Mayor Pat Ambler said the market was the jewel in the crown of Liskeard, and she said the loss of it would be the death of the town.

Other speakers included Mrs Susan Maunder (Rilla Mill), county councillor Mike Gillbard, Nick Mallard, Tony Powell, David Hambly, Chris Ferguson, Roger Morton, Jeanne Rees, Brian deGruchy, Peter Hooper of Kivells, John Sheer, Jonathon Williamson, Chamber chairman Roger Terry, Philip Stephens and John Goldsworthy.