A FARMER who was too old to look after his animals and too proud to ask for help has been banned from keeping livestock for life after what was described as one of the worst abuses of animal welfare in the region.

George Albert Jopling, 76, whose family have been farming in County Durham for five generations, was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than £1,760 at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court after 36 sheep and cattle were found dead at High Farm, Eastgate, in Weardale, in April.

Jopling pleaded guilty to 19 charges relating to the treatment of animals, including two of failing to provide water, seven of failing to ensure their welfare, and five of failing to dispose of the carcasses of his black Limousin cows. He also admitted five charges of not disposing of sheep carcasses.

Bryan Smith, prosecuting for trading standards, said officials from Durham County Council, accompanied by police and a vet, were called to the farm after a rambler heard a cow in distress.

They found five dead cows locked in a dilapidated, windowless barn and 31 dead sheep, many of them newborn lambs, strewn across a field. Two other cows were found alive, but were starved of suitable food and were dehydrated.

Investigators had to force open the barn door because it was blocked by 18in of animal waste.

"The two live cattle were in a very bad condition - very thin," said Mr Smith.

The 31 dead sheep were still lying in the field where they had died between three days and a month earlier.

The court heard that Mr Jopling struggled to run the farm because his son fell ill and his grandson was studying.

Simon Catterall, for Jopling, said: "When the wind blew, Mr Jopling was too old to deal with the problems and too proud to ask for help."

However, he said that while his client accepted his part, some of the blame lay with ramblers.

He said they had allowed the cows into the barn, and once in they could not get out.

"This highlights the problems farmers have with walkers entering isolated buildings," he said.

"Although it was Mr Jopling's responsibility to check on the buildings, and he has paid the penalty for not doing so, this would not have happened if walkers had behaved responsibly."

He said the running of the farm had become too much for his client and he had already decided to call it a day and hand it to his son, George Alan Jopling.

"The carcasses were piling up," Mr Catterall said.

"Mr Jopling was trying to look after the live ones and this was to the detriment of the dead ones.

He added: "He knows it's time to hand down to the next generation."

Speaking afterwards, Stephen Bilton, divisional manager for animal health at Durham County Council's trading standards department, said he was satisfied with the outcome.

"This is one of the worst welfare cases that we've ever come across," he said.

"These animals were caused unnecessary suffering through neglect, and we are happy with the lifetime ban imposed.

"If people have problems in looking after their animals they should come forward before matters get out of hand.

"The authorities will work with farmers to avoid prosecutions and unnecessary suffering to animals."

Mr Bilton added that, in the future, his department would be keeping a close eye on the running of the farm.