THE Government's decision to lift some of the foot and mouth animal movement restrictions has been greeted with a sigh of relief in Yorkshire.

Apart from restricted areas around the two - and possibly three - outbreaks in Surrey, cattle may no be taken to slaughter and dead animals removed from farms.

David Fursdon, President of the Country Land and Business Association: "There will be a collective sigh of relief from farmers who have faced mounting financial difficulties since the nationwide ban on animal movements. For diversified farmers who've been welcoming the public onto their farms, it will be a massive relief to know that fallen livestock can now be removed."

However, the remaining bans are still playing havoc with country show season, which has already seen widespread cancellations caused by earlier bad weather, including the game shows at Harewood House, near Leeds, and at Broughton Hall, Skipton.

The latest casualty is the Lunesdale Show at Kirkby Lonsdale, one of the most popular smaller shows between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, due to be held next Tuesday. It has been cancelled because of the FMD restrictions.