FOOT-AND-MOUTH disease tightened its hold in the region during the weekend.

Maff vets confirmed four new outbreaks in North Yorkshire and County Durham.

Residents in Middridge, near Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, stood by as the Army and Maff officials culled stock belonging to Tom Walton, at Middridge Farm, on Saturday.

Last night, Mr Walton, who also has animals in other areas, said he had done his best to keep the disease at bay, but discovered his cattle had been infected on Friday.

He said: "The animals were perfectly fine on Thursday morning, but when I went into the shed on Friday, three out of the eight cattle had it. There was no doubt in my mind and I got straight onto the authorities."

Mr Walton's neighbour, George Hayman, lost his stock on Saturday as dangerous contacts.

He said: "It is one of those things. The country is in a hell of a state.

"The Government says it has it under control but it is jumping in front of them all of the time and they can't catch up.

"I didn't think the village would get it. The area is going to be desolate."

Mr Hayman had been farming at Middridge for 40 years.

He said: "This is the only problem I have ever had in all the time I've been here."

A spokesperson from Maff confirmed that animals at six farms were culled, four of which were directly linked to Mr Walton's.

The full impact hit nearby Shildon yesterday when Richard Snowdon, of East Thickley Farm, lost his stock as dangerous contacts.

As the Army and Maff vets moved in to cull his animals, Mr Snowdon was too upset to comment.

Officials also confirmed a case at Piercebridge Farm, Piercebridge, near Darlington, on Saturday, and at Fulforth Farm, Witton Gilbert, near Sacriston, County Durham, yesterday.

Maff vets confirmed outbreaks at two farms in North Yorkshire, and carried out a cull at a third farm suspected of having the disease.

It takes the number of confirmed cases in the county to 19, with almost half of the county subject to restrictions.

Scientists are still testing samples from Crossfields, at Aysgarth, near Leyburn, but Maff vets decided to take no chances after finding indications of the disease.

A total of 531 sheep and 61 cattle were destroyed, but action regarding neighbouring farms is being delayed subject to the test results.

The disease reached the Bedale area, with an outbreak confirmed at Butterwell Farm, Patrick Brompton.

A total of 160 cattle and 30 sheep on the farm have been slaughtered.

Livestock at nine neighbouring farms are also being destroyed - about 3,000 sheep, 350 cattle and 60 pigs.

The second disease confirmation was at Home Farm, Brough Park, near Catterick, just yards from the home of Tory leader and local MP William Hague.

There a total of 280 cattle and 780 sheep being slaughtered.