DEER have roamed the land around Raby Castle in County Durham since Norman times.

Now, as foot-and-mouth closes in, desperate measures are being taken to protect the historic herd.

The disease has surrounded the 200-acre park, near Staindrop - home to 400 red and fallow deer.

As the epidemic moved closer, staff at Lord Barnard's ancestral home decided to isolate a dozen deer in case a cull is ordered.

They hope that, should the worst happen, some deer will survive to begin the long process of building up the herd once again.

Yesterday, there was a fifth confirmed foot-and-mouth case in the area - at Burton House, Staindrop.

Although the deer may still escape slaughter, which has been the fate of thousands of livestock on farms around Raby Castle in recent weeks, estate staff fear that the threat of a cull is growing.

Stephen Rochford, manager of Raby Estates, revealed: "We took the decision about eight weeks ago to separate 12 deer from the rest of them, as an extra measure of protection.

"This is terrible time for farming and we are taking each day as it comes.

"We really feel for our tenants, many of who have lost all their animals.

"But with yet another case close to the park confirmed today it obviously doesn't look too good. All we can do is pray."

The estate is not revealing where they are keeping the isolated deer, but they are well away from the rest of the herd.

One member of the estate's staff has been feeding the animals, and he has been banned from coming into contact with any livestock for two months.

Don't drop your guard

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