POULTRY farmers claimed restrictions aimed at halting the spread of bird flu had been a waste of time and a financial disaster.

Sales of birds were allowed for the first time at Clitheroe auction mart since the Government-backed ban was lifted.

But auctioneer John Swingler said he was forced to sell many birds at low prices because of the break, which lasted nearly three months.

And farmers dealing in poultry and other birds said the restrictions were "a waste of time" and had lost them hundreds of pounds.

Under the restrictions imposed in October all bird markets, shows and fairs, where poultry or caged birds may be brought together were prohibited.

The sale went ahead yesterday after a power cut cancelled last weeks auction, which would have been the first in the UK.

The HN51 strain of bird flu has begun to affect humans who have been in contact with birds in Turkey.

The sale was still one of the first in the country since the ban was lifted and Neil Butterworth, 67, of Cinder Hill Farm, Halifax Road, Todmorden said: "I have been doing this for 31 years and I have never had such problems selling birds.

"The most annoying thing is there is no need for this ban. There is no proof that bird flu spreads from human to human and it is nowhere near the UK. It has made people paranoid.

He added: "I hope things will now start to pick up or it will end up putting some farmers out of business"

John Newstone, 20, who lives in a farm off Crosstone, Todmorden, said: "There has been a big panic for no reason. People have not been properly educated.

"Thankfully, although I have 100 birds, it is more of a hobby for me, because I would have lost a lot of money if this was my livelihood."

The Animal Protection Agency slammed the decision by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to lift the ban. The group said selling poultry alongside pet birds could undermine efforts to try and halt the spread of avian flu.

But Mr Swindler said he predicted the market would be back to normal soon despite opposition after up to 300 pet birds, including some exotic varieties of parrot, were sold as well as up to 700 lots of poultry.