London's annual Christmas meat auction is packed with bettors.

LONDON, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Meat traders flung cheap turkeys to the highest bidders in a public auction at London's historic Smithfield Market on Tuesday, a long-standing Christmas tradition whose future now hangs in the balance.In a public auction held Tuesday at London's historic Smithfield Market, meat sellers threw inexpensive turkeys to the highest bidders, a long-standing Christmas custom whose survival is now in jeopardy.The location in the financial area of the City of London has been a center for the trade of meat and animals for around 900 years. At one point, it drew vendors from all across England and produce from as far away as Argentina and Australia.

However, Smithfield Market's future is unknown because city officials decided last month to close it, freeing up precious property area for future redevelopment. The majority of meat vendors have stated that they intend to relocate to another area of London after the Smithfield market closes in 2028. For many years, throngs of gamblers have braved the cold and flocked to Smithfield Market on Christmas Eve in order to purchase excess produce at discounted prices. They exchanged cash, and only cash, for lamb legs or red meat slices that were thrown into the crowd.