A show farm containing several rare animals is to reopen after the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Once-common beasts such as saddleback pigs and Durham shorthorn cattle have been in isolation at Home Farm, Beamish Museum, County Durham, since the outbreak last year.

But now they have been granted their freedom, following the Government decision to declare County Durham free of the disease.

The animals, also including Teeswater sheep and several horses, have attracted children and adults for almost a decade to the 300-acre farm, which uses 1913 equipment and working methods.

But last year the threat of the animals contracting and helping to spread the disease caused bosses to delay the opening of the museum by several weeks.

The award-winning attraction was only able to open once sheep were separated from the main part of the farm and after the rest of the animals were moved into barns.

"They have been sorely missed," said museum director Miriam Harte. "It has been very hard for our farm staff. No one wanted to go near them for obvious reasons and they have felt as isolated as the poor animals themselves."

Home Farm is horse-powered and more typical of Northumberland farms than those of County Durham.

The former Pockley Farm area, bought in 1990, dates back more than 500 years.

Managers at the museum estimate that foot-and-mouth led to a seven per cent drop in trade last year.

The museum, including the farm, will open for the new tourist season on March 23.