AFTER a four-month delay caused by the foot-and-mouth epidemic, Barnard Castle's first farmers' market of the year is held tomorrow.

The news will come as a huge relief to producers for whom the markets have become a lifeline. For many they are their only source of income, and the foot-and-mouth outbreak has caused a great deal of suffering as markets closed all over the region.

Mrs Cathy Tinn, the Teesdale and Wear Valley farmers' market co-ordinator, said: "A popular misconception is that meat producers alone have borne the brunt of FMD. Undoubtedly, these unfortunate farmers have been the worst affected, but all the producers who attend farmers' markets are suffering as many have been cancelled."

She gave examples of a home-baking business based on a family farm that had been devastated in a very short time, and a pig farmer who had been forced to build more accommodation for his animals as he was unable to move them.

Mrs Tinn thanked the general public for their support and sympathy over the last four months. She said: "Feedback has been wonderful. All the stallholders thank everyone and we look forward to seeing them all again tomorrow.