THE countryside continued its fightback yesterday with the reopening of a farmers' market.

The market, in Durham City, was back after its enforced closure - albeit with reduced numbers.

Eileen Wood, operations director of Durham Markets Company, said: "A lot of people were losing income due to the markets being closed, so we felt strongly about reopening as soon as possible.

"Quite a few of our regular traders are living next to infected farms, so they have not been able to come, and everyone has been asked to take precautions."

Usually, the market caters for about 32 traders, but only 25 stallholders braved the wintry weather, to sell goods ranging from bread and cheese to cakes and soap.

Gordon Stewart, from East Lothian, Scotland, is a regular visitor to Durham.

He said: "I have not been doing too badly, because most of Scotland is disease-free, but it was a bit of a blow when Durham was cancelled last month."

Visitors were equally pleased to see the market's return