A market with a royal charter which began when villagers traded rabbit skins in Norman times will continue after its current boss stands down.

Steven Tyman's family have operated the weekly Methwold Auction Mart for generations.

It has been run for more than 400 years under a Royal Charter granted by Charles I.

Speculation has been mounting over the future of the Monday sale, since Mr Tyman told regulars he was stepping down.

Mr Tyman, who will be holding his last auction in charge on Monday, March 27, said: "I'm stepping away from the auction.

"There's a lot of interested parties looking to take over the auction grounds, that's all I can say at present.

"There'll still be a market here. There's a lot of rumours flying around but the auction will continue."

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Customers come to socialise as well as to snap up everything from household items and bicycles to tools and timber.

"Methwold is quite closed off and this is a key part of the community," one said. 

"People use it as a way of socialising, it's not just a sale."

The auction mart's website says: "There has been a market in Methwold since Norman times, and back in the day, its main trade was dealing in rabbit pelts.

"It was during the reign of Charles I that the Methwold Auction Mart was established, and still proudly operates under its original charter."

Up to 1,300 lots come under the hammer on the site, on the village High Street each Monday.

Recent sales have included a caravan, lawnmowers, rotavators, stoves, fireplaces, a horse-drawn sleigh and a collection of toilets.

The website adds: "People travel from miles around to attend, which not only presents the opportunity to bid for items, but is also a meeting place for friends to catch up, in a welcoming and friendly atmosphere."