Forty-five years of tradition ended last Thursday as agricultural manufacturer Kverneland sold off the last of its machinery in an auction at its Devizes factory in Folly Road.

The company, which started out as Archie Kidd Limited in 1957, used to make more than 20 different kinds of agricultural machinery before it was taken over by the Norwegian company Kverneland in 1993.

After a difficult time during the nineties, the company was forced to close its doors in February this year.

The firm's managing director David Cottam said Thursday was a very sad day for him.

"Farming is changing, it is run as a big business nowadays, rather than as a family firm, and as farms get bigger they need different types of equipment.

"Also farmers now get more money for set-aside land than they do for producing crops, and obviously they don't need any equipment for set-aside.

"It is a very difficult time in farming at the moment, both for farmers themselves and connected businesses like us," he said.

Auctioneer John Law confirmed that new farming methods coupled with the agricultural slump have hit businesses like Kverneland hard.

"We have been closing down lots of businesses like this, all over the country.

"The whole agricultural industry is having a tough time at the moment," he said.

More than 350 lots were sold. Buyers included local farmers, retailers and wholesalers of agricultural machinery.

Kverneland has been supplying the people of Wiltshire with agricultural machinery since 1957, when Archie Kidd first opened his factory selling his revolutionary new threshing machine.

Since then it has had several name changes, and has continued to provide machines for Wiltshire farmers since its takeover by Kverneland.

It is the only company of its type in Devizes, and one of a succession of family firms to close down.

Jo Edwards, from the Devizes Chamber of Commerce, said; "It is obviously very sad that this firm is closing, and it is very bad for Devizes to lose such a major employer.

Andrew Martin, of Atwell Martin estate agents, Devizes, said; "We don't yet know who will be moving onto the site yet, but obviously it is a big site and really suitable for a large company."