GRAVE fears were expressed this week that foot-and-mouth could return to County Durham after a break of almost three months.

A local farmers' leader called for cross-border controls - including disinfecting vehicles - to be set up on the A66.

The disease has continued its rampage through Cumbria and has hit several farms near the Durham border.

It is just a dozen miles from Barnard Castle and has now seriously affected the shooting season on the adjacent Bowes Moor.

Kevin and Rachel Buckle, who farm with other members of their family at the Barras, are among those affected.

Mr John Andrew, their spokesman, felt the change in the weather might have caused the disease to sweep down the valley, with no amount of bio-security able to stop it.

The Buckles have lost sheep, pigs and cattle at the farm, but still have some sheep on the fell.

"They are clinging to the hope that they will be safe, as they don't think the virus has been found above 1,000ft," he added.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed the fears, saying: "We are concerned. There still appears to be active disease in the area. There are only a couple of farms between the latest outbreak and the county boundary.

"Any lapse in bio-security could lead to foot-and-mouth returning to County Durham.

"Because of the outbreak, licences to shoot have been revoked where the territory is within a 10km circle of infected premises," he added.

Coun Richard Betton, vice chairman of the NFU less favoured areas committee, who farms in upper Teesdale, said the situation in Cumbria was of grave concern.

"We are still awaiting more stringent conditions to come in there. Even now it seems that Defra is chasing the disease in Cumbria rather than getting in front of it," he said.

"I would like to see cross-border controls on the A66, with the inspection of papers and cleansing of vehicles."

Read more about foot-and-mouth here.