BRIG Alexander Birtwhistle is to be the speaker at Stokesley and District Agricultural Discussion Society's annual dinner.

He was brought in by the Government to tackle foot-and-mouth in Cumbria where, under the full glare of the media and politicians and starting with no resources, he cleared more than 1.25m animals in just three weeks. He was made a CBE for his efforts.

Brig Birtwhistle was called in shortly before his retirement, which came at the end of 31 years' service across the world. He was latterly responsible for the Army from Wales to Scotland, west of the Pennines, with 9,000 employees and a £55m annual budget. Now retired from the army, he is a self-employed consultant in risk management.

Some tickets (£20) remain for the dinner, at Romanby Country Club, Yafforth Road, Northallerton, on Friday, October 31. Ring 01642 712388/712151 or 01325 332218.