MANY more animals than necessary were killed during Northumberland's foot-and-mouth outbreak, an independent report has concluded.

The inquiry, commissioned by Northumberland County Council, blames the Government for adopting a strict policy of culling on farms within three kilometres of infected animals.

It says this led to "the slaughter of substantially more animals than was needed to contain and eradicate the disease".

The policy led to "a very high proportion" of the stock killed being confirmed as disease-free in post-mortem examinations.

Countryside expert Professor Michael Dower was given the job of chairing the investigation after the Government refused to hold a full public inquiry.

At a five-day hearing at County Hall, Morpeth, last month, panelists listened to evidence from 80 people, including farmers, tourism representatives and members of the public.

At yesterday's release of their findings, Prof Dower criticised the Government for declining to take part.

He said: "Most of the critique is directed squarely at the Government. I believe it was a public relations disaster for them, and they did themselves - as well as Northumberland - a disservice by not appearing at the hearing."

Soon after the outbreak began last February, Bobby Waugh's pig farm in Heddon-on-the-Wall was pinpointed as the likely source. The disease went on to devastate the county, with 230,000 animals culled and restrictions being placed on three-quarters of its farms.

The report said more culled stock should have been buried on farms rather than at mass sites, to spare residents' anguish.

It also said that Ministry of Agriculture field staff were seen to be unable to cope effectively and the Army should have been brought in earlier.

Michael Davey, leader of Northumberland County Council, appealed for Government help in the crisis aftermath. "We will recover from this, but we will need help by funding," he said