TWO camels and a llama have rejoined the circus after more than a month in quarantine following the latest foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The animals were impounded when a nationwide ban on the transportation of certain animals came into force following an outbreak of the disease in Surrey.

The Peter Jolly Circus was in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, when Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) brought in the restrictions five weeks ago.

The show's star attractions - camels Bashir and Cashmere and Inca, the alpaca llama - have been stuck in a field since then.

"They've done nothing but eat grass and stroll around for more than a month, so they're quite happy," said ringmaster Peter Jolly.

"Due to foot-and-mouth, we haven't been able to move them at all.

"They have been in the same place for the last five weeks. We were in Birtley when the clampdown began, so we had to leave the camels and the llama in a field there.

"We have had to keep someone there looking after them 24 hours a day ever since."

Foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in cattle at a beef farm near Guildford, in Surrey, on August 3. With lessons learned after the last epidemic in 2001, a UK-wide ban on the movement of all cloven hoofed animals was brought into force within hours.

Mr Jolly's camels and llamas had to be left behind, but the zebra was allowed to go on with the show because foot-and-mouth disease does not affect animals with horse hooves.

Restrictions are now being relaxed across the country because the virus has been brought under control, and the circus will have its full quota of animal attractions in time for opening night at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, tonight.

Mr Jolly said: "The animals have only just been released again so they are free to rejoin the rest of the circus and start performing again.

"Defra brought in the restrictions as soon as foot-and-mouth was found again. I can understand why they did it after what happened last time.

"We're delighted they are back with us now and they are raring to go."

The circus is being held in a field next to McDonald's, off the A167 outside Newton Aycliffe.