A PRIZED dairy herd was slaughtered at a Cleveland farm this week.

Foot-and-mouth was confirmed among the 272-strong herd of Friesians at Corps House Farm, Crathorne.

Slaughtermen moved in on Wednesday and yesterday the carcases were being taken away.

The cull is a particularly bitter blow to the herd's owner Mr David Dugdale, brother of Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

Only weeks ago his two herds of cattle were reprieved after the disease was found at nearby Picton Grange Farm.

Mr Dugdale had expected the worst but MAFF at that time decided against slaughter.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Corps House Farm said there was now anxiety over the other herd belonging to Mr Dugdale. This is kept about two miles away from Corps House.

"We have been told they are not automatically going to cull the herd," she said. "That's a relief for now but obviously the situation could change."

The slaughter at Mr Dugdale's farm follows the destruction of livestock at Moor House Farm in Picton where foot-and-mouth was confirmed last week.

l Foot-and-mouth latest: page 14.