A YOUNG animal lover, touched by the story of a girl whose pet cow was slaughtered because of foot-and-mouth, is offering to give away one of her own pets to ease her heartbreak.

The diary of eight-year-old Jessica Cleminson, from New Hummerbeck Farm, near West Auckland, County Durham, and the death of her cow, Caroline, touched thousands of people.

And Jessica's plight struck a chord with 11-year-old Nicole Rowley, from the Weardale Sanctuary, in Stanhope.

Nicole's mother, Sally, said: "She was so sorry to hear about Caroline. Nicole loves animals and she has been through so much herself. She wants Jessica to know she is not alone."

The youngster has written to Jessica, inviting her to the Weardale Sanctuary once the crisis is over.

Mrs Rowley said: "Jessica has a love for animals, and Nicole feels that if she gives her one of her pets to look after it will help her through.

"Jessica can come up anytime and see the animals and, hopefully, when foot-and-mouth is over she can take one home with her."

The sanctuary is home to at least 100 animals and birds, including chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, pigs and ponies.

Like Jessica, Nicole has lived with the fear of losing her beloved pets - and when the epidemic hit nearby Wolsingham she became ill at the prospect of it reaching Stanhope.

Mrs Rowley said: "Nicole suffers stress asthma and was poorly for about a week. At the beginning, it was heartbreaking seeing everybody losing their animals."

Jessica's father, Stephen Cleminson, said he was touched by the offer.

He said: "It is very kind of them. We can't go near livestock or any farms under the terms of our licence, but when the foot-and-mouth has finished I'll take Jessica up to see them."

He said the family had been inundated with letters and gifts from well-wishers.