THE devastating effects of foot-and-mouth will be dissected when an independent inquiry gets under way in the county where the epidemic started.

From Monday, more than 70 people, including farmers, vets, tourism bosses, parish councillors and auction mart staff, will give evidence at a five-day hearing in Northumberland.

Every aspect of the crisis will be scrutinised before a panel led by inquiry chairman Professor Michael Dower, former director general of the Countryside Commission.

The hearing will cover the impact of the epidemic on farming, other rural businesses, environment and tourism, and estimated losses.

The controversial slaughter versus vaccination policy will be examined, as well as the disposal of carcasses and ash, biosecurity, movement restrictions and animal welfare.

The inquiry will also look into the help given to farmers and rural businesses, such as pastoral care, stress support and financial aid.

The written report of the findings, expected next month, will include a recovery plan which will look at support to farming, tourism and recreation, other business sectors and community services.

But there are no signs of further independent inquiries to be held in the region.

Both Durham and North Yorkshire County Councils yesterday ruled out similar hearings in the near future.

Meanwhile, pressure was mounting yesterday for a national public inquiry as campaigners announced they were taking legal action.

Scores of angry farmers, hotel owners and vets are attempting to force the Government to hold an inquiry into the crisis by seeking a judicial review.

Campaigners from Yorkshire, Devon and Cumbria, will be among those taking their case to the High Court, on Tuesday, February 19.

David Maughan, who farms near Darlington and wants to see a national inquiry, said: "Clearly, some things went wrong, particularly in the early stages of the epidemic.

"But it is about what lessons can be learned, so if it ever happens again defences can be put in place. And the inquiry has to be a rapid thing, not something that is going to drag on for two to three years."

The Federation of Small Businesses is also supporting the campaign. Its Darlington chairman, Peter Troy, said: "There are a lot of unanswered questions which need tackling.