Last Thursday the Black Sheep Meat Company was trading in Driffield’s Market Place – the day after its founders Colin and Katherine Chambers were banned from keeping farm animals for five years and fined £21,000 for animal welfare and food hygiene offences.

But the couple, who had been casual traders at Driffield market for almost two years, have been told they are no longer welcome.

Town Mayor Coun Steve Poessl said: “The town council and those involved with the running of the market have been disgusted and sickened by the details of this court case and we cannot allow these people to trade on our market any longer.”

The move comes after a multi-agency investigation at the Chambers’ farm holdings at Rotsea Carr, Rudston and Easingwold uncovered starved and dying livestock, several of which had to be euthanised on the spot, among rotting carcasses which had not been disposed of properly.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council Food services officers also investigated poor standards of hygiene which were evident in the food preparation areas of the Rotsea farm unit.

The Black Sheep Meat Company regularly sells produce at farmers’ markets across the county, with Mr Chambers recently establishing the Humber Bridge Farmers’ Market.

Driffield Agricultural Society director Dave Tite said the Chambers family had not attended the Driffield Farmers’ Market, held monthly at Driffield Showground, for well over a year because “its reputation will not be compromised”.

“Mr Chambers hasn’t attended Driffield Farmers’ Market for over a year and a quarter because we are a FARMA certified and assured market and have to stick to set rules, terms and conditions to be able to be a FARMA market,” he said.

“It’s vital we maintain its good name because we are surrounded by fantastic local producers providing superb local food,” he added.

The National Farmers Retail and Markets Association (FARMA) is a membership organisation made up of farming businesses involved in direct sales to consumers through farmers’ markets and similar events.

Mr Tite said he had spoken to Neil Marshall, of the Humber Bridge Board, in a bid to help the market there continue and added: “We will be assisting them in developing their farmers’ market model into the future.”

After admitting the offences, Mr and Mrs Chambers were ordered to pay a total of £21,000, were each given a two-year conditional discharge and banned from owning, keeping or being party to arrangements for cattle, sheep and other similar non-household animals for five years.

Colin Chambers was ordered to pay fines of £6,000 and prosecution costs of £3,000 while Katherine Chambers was ordered to pay fines of £9,000 and prosecution costs of £3,000.

Their son Mark Chambers was also given a two-year conditional discharge after being found guilty, and in one instance pleading guilty, to offences under animal by- products legislation.