FARMERS and hoteliers in one of the most picturesque parts of the region were last night waiting in fear as foot-and-mouth disease went back on the march.

Over the weekend, another eight cases were confirmed in North Yorkshire, leaving the agriculture and tourist industries on tenterhooks.

Sheep on six farms in Westerdale were slaughtered after a case was confirmed at Waites House Farm on Friday night.

And late last night, cattle on High House Farm, Westerdale, were found to be contaminated and were destroyed by Ministry of Agriculture (Maff) officials.

So far, Heartbeat country has escaped the worst - the nearest cases have been around Yarm and Stokesley.

But Westerdale nestles in the Cleveland Hills, and farmers, hoteliers and those linked with the tourist trade in the area know that they are teetering on the brink.

"It is truly terrifying," said National Farmers' Union (NFU) spokesman Rob Simpson. "The worst thing we have noticed is the ability of the foot-and-mouth virus to 'hide'; no one knows where it is going to crop up next.

"Of course, we have to remember that in March there were 60 cases confirmed in one day and now we are down to a handful, but that is no comfort to those affected, for whom it is absolutely devastating.

"It is also a massive concern that this outbreak is slap, bang in the middle of the North York Moors where the impact could be very severe."

Beryl Wilson owns the Heatherdene Hotel, Goathland, some miles from the most recent outbreak, but where concern is just as strong.

"Foot-and-mouth could change the whole nature of the area quite dramatically and the whole landscape is adapted to sheep farming. All we can do is hope there are no more cases," she said.

Day-trippers are still making the pilgrimage to the village where the popular TV drama, Heartbeat, is filmed, but those who own holiday accommodation are already suffering.

Mrs Wilson estimates a 50 per cent drop in trade while Malcolm Simpson, who owns the Inn On The Moor, has no bookings at all for June and July.

He said: "Farmers can qualify for compensation and the like while businesses like ours are unlikely to qualify for anything.

"I hope the new Government will address some of the issues, or that we can benefit through cuts in VAT or the rates."

A further five cases were confirmed in the Settle area of North Yorkshire, taking the total in that outbreak to 66. Another case of infection was discovered on Saturday at High Worsall, near Yarm, along with a case at Ingleby Cross, between Northallerton and Stokesley.