ACCORDING to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today, there were no new cases of foot and mouth confirmed anywhere in the UK yesterday - the first time the country has been clear for months.

Despite this, the political bickering continues. North Yorkshire County Council is to ask restoration "csar" Lord Haskins, who farms in the East Riding, for emergency grant aid to help cover the costs of dealing with foot and mouth, which has already cost the county more than £1 million - equivalent to £6.50 on the average council tax bill.

The disease has hit North Yorkshire a "triple whammy" for the council is already facing huge emergency bills from last year's massive flooding - and even an extra £200,000 for clearing up after the Selby rail crash.