A FARMER left heartbroken after his business was destroyed when all his livestock had to be put down during the Foot and Mouth crisis has launched a music festival.

The Coastline Festival was born out of a desire by John Morley to do something positive following the devastating effects of Foot and Mouth, which led to the death of his 280 animals, including his herd of pedigree Holstein cows.

The festival will raise cash for Mr Morley’s beloved Whitby Town Football Club, and will feature two iconic 70s bands in the grounds of his farm, Cross Butts in Whitby, tomorrow (Saturday, August 6).

Mr Morley had been involved in the family-run farm since his early childhood.

He said: ''It really was my life and something that had been built up across the generations at Cross Butts in Whitby. I can still remember rushing home from school as a child to help milk the cows with my father."

"I'll never forget returning home from a family day out and seeing some men in black uniforms. As I approached my gate they told me that they had come to destroy my animals following the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease.

“I was devastated, and the pain is still in me to this day, although I have managed to handle the mental scars that those events caused me. Even though it is now fifteen years since the tragedy struck, it is as vivid in my mind now as it was then.” Out of the tragedy and the end of his farming life, his new venture would go on to bring business success that today sees almost forty people employed in the flourishing Cross Butts Hotel and Restaurant at the Stables in Whitby - built on the site of the family's huge former farm.

The festival will 10cc and The Real Thing – both big named bands of the 1970s. Graham Gouldman of 10cc said: "It is quite remarkable what John has endured and how he has come through it all and made such a terrific success of the next phase of his life.”

The festival takes place at The Stables, Guisborough Road, Whitby. Tickets cost £38 and VIP packages at £100. For tickets call 0114-223-3777 or thecoastlinefestival.co.uk/.