THERE were two more cases of FMD confirmed overnight, both in the stubborn rump area around Hexham, Northumberland. In North Yorkshire, DEFRA officials have removed the "blue box" movement restrictions around Thirsk.

Meanwhile, work is to restart on one of the biggest dry-stone walling projects ever tackled by the Yorkshire Dales national park: four kilometres of walling alongside the Settle-Carlisle railway to Ribblehead station.

The scheme, costing £65,000, had to be abandoned earlier in the year because of FMD restrictions.