A FARMER whose stock was culled during the foot-and-mouth epidemic has seen his new lambs come good at his local auction mart.

John Alderson, who trades as H W Alderson & Son of Howgill Grange in Baldersdale, told the D&S Times he had lost everything during the foot-and-mouth crisis, with nearly every farm in Baldersdale taken out as part of a contiguous cull.

"We lost 20 years of breeding, but decided to restock last autumn," said Mr Alderson, who took the cup and first prize overall for the best pen of 10 mule gimmer lambs at Middleton-in-Teesdale mart's show and sale last week.

"We had won the cup for the three previous years, before we were culled out," he said, "but to win when we have had to restock means a great deal to us, especially as they brought £135 a head.