A MASSIVE shadow fell over Wensleydale on March 7 when a case of foot and mouth was confirmed on Raygill House Farm, near Hawes - the second outbreak in Yorkshire reported on the same day.

The county's farmers had been holding their fingers crossed for weeks hoping that, as if by some miracle, Yorkshire would escape the outbreak. Those hopes were dashed with the confirmation of the two cases, the second being near Queensbury in West Yorkshire.

The Dales outbreak is just two miles from the famous Wensleydale Creamery at Hawes, producers of the famous Wensleydale cheese and a major employer in the area. The creamery draws all its milk from just over 40 farms on some of the lushest pastureland in North Yorkshire, including Raygill House.

However, the creamery points out that there is no danger to human health from the disease.

The outbreak came as a massive blow to the important tourist industry in the dale and also at the racing stables grouped round neighbouring Middleham, where there are some 500 racehorses in training. Although horses do not contract the disease, they are known carriers and the outbreak is likely to play havoc with spring and early summer racing schedules.