DATES have been announced for the beginning of animal movements in an area hit by foot-and-mouth disease.

Transporting cattle and pigs in North Yorkshire can go-ahead from next Monday, and sheep and goats from October 1.

To cope with the expected high demand, a licensing centre is being set up on the Standard Way industrial estate, in Northallerton .

Head of regulatory services Stuart Pudney said: "It is anticipated that there will be 10,000 extra licence applications in addition to the licences to slaughter we are already issuing."

Since March, when the existing centre was set up at County Hall, farmers have made 210,000 calls to the licensing helpline and more than 26,000 individual licences have been issued.

The autumn animal movements scheme allows the movement of animals from farm to farm for business, welfare and breeding purposes.

In some parts of the country, the scheme begins today, but it has been delayed in North Yorkshire because of the area's high-risk status.

Mr Pudney said: "We hope to be ready for the 24th, but if there is a couple of days delay then I would ask that farmers please bear with us."