FARMERS in Weardale shook off the shadow of foot-and-mouth at the weekend to stage the first sheep show in the country since the disease struck in February last year.

Organisers of the 17th Eastgate Sheep Show hailed it as "the final light at the end of a very long tunnel". The show was cancelled for the first time last year because of the disease.

Strict bio-security measures were imposed by Defra, whose officials closely monitored the show. Entries were restricted to Weardale farmers, although sheep normally come from all over the North, and back came the chemical-soaked mats, plus a sign telling visitors not to touch the sheep.

Defra veterinary officer Philip Ruell, from Newcastle, said: "We are using this show as an assessment of what will be needed to stage other shows. We are very conscious there is a need to open up all aspects of country life after foot-and-mouth, and that includes staging events like this.

"We have been impressed by what we have seen here."

Show secretary Paul Collinson said: "When we started thinking about staging the show this year, back in January, we never thought this day would come. At last we are seeing some normality returning to farming life."

Results. Blue-faced Leicester. - Aged ram: 1 W Wearmouth. Tup shlg: 1 W Wearmouth. Tup hogg: 1&3 W Wearmouth; 2 HS Hutchinson. Tup lamb: 1&2 W Wearmouth; 3 HS Hutchinson. Ewe: 1&2 W Wearmouth; 3 HS Hutchinson. Gimmer shlng: 1 HS Hutchinson; 2 W Wearouth. Gimmer hogg: 1,2&3 W Wearmouth. Gimmer lamb: 1 HS Hutchinson; 2&3 W Wearmouth. Group of three: 1 H Hutchinson; 2 W Wearmouth. Champion: W Wearmouth; res: H S Hutchinson.

Swaledale. - Old tup: 1 GA Jopling; 2 RA Dalton. Tup shlg: 1 RA Dalton; 2 I Collinson; 3 GA Jopling. Tup hogg: 1 GA Jopling; 2 CC&AE Martin; 3 MW Skidmore. Ewe: 1 CC&AE Martin; 2 GA Jopling; 3 I Collinson. Gimmer shlg: 1&3 CC&AE Martin; 2 MW Skidmore. Gimmer hogg: 1 CC&AE Martin; 2&3 RA Dalton. Tup lamb: 1 I Collinson; 2 RA Dalton; 3 GA Jopling. Group: 1 CC&AE Martin; 2 GA Jopling; 3 PA Dalton.

Mule sheep. - Hogg & single lamb: 1,2&3 HS Hutchinson. Pair gimmer hoggs: 1&2 HS Hutchinson; 3 MW Skidmore. Gimmer lambs: 1,2&3 MW Skidmore. Pair gimmer lambs: 1&2 MW Skidmore. Champion: HS Hutchinson; res: M W Skidmore.

* Langdon Beck Sheep Show, held in Upper Teesdale for the first time in more than 100 years in 2000, only to be cancelled last year, returns on Saturday, September 28