THE Territorial Army has been praised for the part it played during the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Nigel Sherlock, HM Lord Lieutenant for Tyne & Wear, presented 21 certificates to members of the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, Territorial Army, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps to thank them for outstanding service in various aspects of their careers.

He said: "The TA played a most important part in providing aid to the civil authority when the North-East suffered badly from floods last winter and even more so from the scourge of foot-and-mouth."

He was speaking following the presentation of certificates for outstanding service to members of the reserve and cadet forces.

Sgt Cliff Readshaw from Darlington was one of the recipients. He is a member of 50 Signal Squadron, 34 Signal Regiment and has been in the TA since 1977.

In civilian life he is a field inspection officer for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.