A FARMER who has spent £1,000 re-routing a road to allow holidaymakers on to his caravan park is facing uncertainty about when he will be allowed to re-open.

Mr Alan Dent saw his stock at Leekworth Farm in Middleton in Teesdale culled in early April as contiguous contacts, although he remains in the dark as to whether or not they were infected.

Mr Dent also runs a caravan park at the farm, but has lost revenue of up to £9,000 this season because of foot-and-mouth restrictions, there being no access to it other than via his farmland.

"I was told by the MAFF vet that if I re-routed the road away from the house and farm I would be allowed to open," said Mr Dent. "She would not have said that without good reason. I have rung the ministry but I keep getting mucked around from one to another, saying they have lost this form and lost that form. I have been fobbed off and given the run around."

The new gravel road, which is fenced to keep people from straying either side, cost Mr Dent £1,000, money which he says he would have been better off keeping in his pocket. He has also put in a cement wheel bath for disinfecting purposes.

"I would not have spent that money without being reassured that I would be allowed to open," he said. "I don't want to make a lot of fuss, I would just like to know where I stand."

A MAFF spokesman defended the ministry, saying once Mr Dent had been inspected and completed the list requested by the vet he should have applied for an FM2 licence.

"I don't know whether he realised he formally had to apply for the licence, but he must apply to the licensing department at Kenton Bar," she said. "They may have to do standard checks on the application, but as long as everything is in order he should get his licence. He should have received a letter from us telling him what he needs to do, and as long as he has done what's asked for he should be OK."

Although under the impression that he did not have to complete an FM2 form, Mr Dent was delighted to hear the news. "I will make my application and see what happens," he said.