A FARM has come to the rescue of a vet who lost his favourite breed of cattle during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Will Christie visited Newham Grange Leisure Farm, in Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, at the weekend to buy back Juniper Linnet - a British White cow he originally sold to the council-owned farm ten years ago.

The Hexham vet keeps cattle as a hobby, but lost all five of his animals to foot-and- mouth last September.

He said: "I've had the British White for about 20 years and in 1992 I sold a cow in calf to Middlesbrough Council. When I lost my stock I rang them up to see if they had got any of that family, but not really expecting her to be alive.

"They said they still had the cow and her daughter Red Star. It's really nice to get them both back because the mother is a daughter of the first cow I ever bought."

It will not take long for Mr Christie to build up his stock again as both animals are in calf. "The daughter is due is May and the mother due in summer. They are a very docile breed and also very attractive to look at.

"I originally got into them because they were a rare breed and I wanted to have a little conservation project."

The British White is now a minority breed, used to rear quality beef calves.

Farm manager Tracey Farbridge said: "It's been no problem to help out Will in his efforts to re-establish his herd and we are delighted that we have been able to return a favour.