YOUNG Jessica Archer is well aware of the devastating impact the foot-and-mouth outbreak has had on young farming families.

The 12-year-old was helpless to prevent her pet cows, Flower and Cheddar, being destroyed along with the rest of her family's herd at their 300-acre farm on the outskirts of Darlington.

Jessica's sad experience resulted in her being approached to review a children's book about the foot-and-mouth disease, which is due for publication next month.

She is one of only two children in the country to be given a proof copy of the book, entitled Out of the Ashes.

The book tells the fictional story of a 13-year-old girl called Becky, whose father's farm is hit by foot-and-mouth.

Jessica, who says the book mirrors the experiences of her family, said it is very moving and people can listen to her review when she appears on Radio 4 with the author, Michael Morpurgo, on Sunday.

"The headteacher at my old school, High Coniscliffe, was asked to recommend someone to read the book and she thought of me," said Jessica.

"The book was very good and the best bit was when the farmer was able to have lambs on his farm again."

Jessica's parents, Susan and John, were horrified when foot-and-mouth was confirmed at their farm, New Moor Farm, at Walworth Gate, near Darlington, in June. Their entire dairy herd was culled and they now have to wait eight months before they can rebuild their stock.

Jessica, who goes to Carmel College of Technology, said: "It was very difficult because I have grown up around cows all my life.

"I had two of my own cows, Flower and Cheddar, and I was really upset when they were killed."

Mrs Archer, who has two other children, Timothy, ten, and Charlie, six, said she is proud that her daughter is appearing on the radio programme.

"It has been an horrific time for us, but it is good that Jessica has been able to read the book and raise awareness of the impact of foot and mouth," she said.

Jessica will be on the radio at 7.15pm on Sunday.

Out of the Ashes is published on July 20.