FARMERS have pledged support for a new co-operative which, they heard, could help restore prosperity to a depressed dale.

A steering group could meet before Christmas in Weardale, where major job losses have followed last year's foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Two dozen members of the farming community attended a meeting in Stanhope called by redundant cement worker Michael Dent with support from Business Link County Durham.

They heard from Cumbrian farmers Steve Dunning and Richard Warburton of early successes among members of the recently formed Junction 38 co-operative at Tebay.

This group is currently raising £500,000 to set up a slaughterhouse and has members selling meat directly to lucrative London markets.

Mr Dunning said: "There is money to be made. What we have to do is shorten the food chain from the gate to the plate. There are too many people taking a profit from farmers and people are looking for traceability and the right branding for meat and agricultural products."

Chris France, regional co-ordinator for the Farm Business Advisory Service, said funds were available for individual farm surveys.

Mr Dent has proposed setting up a co-operative slaughterhouse on the site of Lafarge UK's former cement works at Eastgate which, he told the meeting, would cut haulage time, benefit animal welfare and pay profits back to farmers.

Mr Dent said: "The key thing is to work together. We have enough support to take this forward and look a whole range of ideas which will benefit the Weardale farming community."