THE slaughter of hundreds of animals just half-a-mile from the home of Tory leader William Hague began yesterday.
An outbreak of foot-and-mouth was confirmed at Home Farm, in Catterick, North Yorkshire, where 780 sheep and 280 cattle were slaughtered.
The outbreak at the farm, close to the Brough Park home which Mr Hague shares with his wife, Ffion, was followed yesterday by the county's 20th confirmed case.
Livestock at Crossfields, in Aysgarth, near Leyburn, were slaughtered on suspicion of having the disease on Friday - and tests by Ministry of Agriculture vets later proved positive.
About 550 sheep and 50 cattle were slaughtered, and livestock on five neighbouring premises will also be culled.
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