A FARMER who feared his cattle might have contracted foot and mouth disease breathed a sigh of relief after his herd was given the all-clear.

Boothstown farmer John Harrison, who runs Moss House Farm, nervously awaited news from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food after bullocks from a farm affected by foot and mouth escaped into his fields.

Mr Harrison was concerned the escapees, whose short lives were extended slightly when they fled an on-site cull at Carrs Meadow, Worsley, would test positive for foot and mouth.

If they had, his own prize herd of Charolais cattle would have been culled as a precaution, to prevent further spread of the devastating disease. He told the Journal : "I'm glad it's all over for me. It's a big relief."

Slaughtermen from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food had moved on to a 60-acre field alongside the canal and motorway at Worsley and begun culling 300 sheep and 75 bullocks with humane equipment used in abattoirs.

The condemned animals were suspected of contamination because of their connection with a confirmed foot and mouth outbreak in Clitheroe.

The two bullocks which escaped on to Moss House Farm land were killed by men from the ministry who also put down a third animal which made an unsuccessful bid for freedom by jumping into the Bridgewater Canal.

Mr Harrison added: "What the Government should do now the election is out of the way is close all the footpaths and try and contain the disease again."