THERE was a time when Peter Monkhouse could see no way out for his haulage business - on the brink of being forced under by the crisis.

As one of the first in the North-East to fall victim to the epidemic, the 37-year-old could only watch helplessly as his yard closed, his lorries were forced to lie idle and his experienced drivers left with nothing to do but sweep up.

Now, having been given a clean bill of health, it looks as if there might be life after foot-and-mouth for Mr Monkhouse after all, although the disease continues to cast its shadow.

On Saturday, February 24, the father-of-two, who operates his business from Wolsingham, in County Durham, spotted symptoms of illness in sheep he was keeping in the yard.

At first he thought it was pneumonia, but the next day he called out the vet. Within three days, test results confirmed the worst for his flock - and his livelihood.

He said: "It was devastating. It is the next thing to a death in the family. It is that type of feeling.

"We did not know whether we would have a business left or not, and we were facing having to pack up at the beginning.

"You feel that people think the worst of you, but I did nothing wrong. We did everything by the book."

The 40 sheep were culled and the yard disinfected, but all ten wagons at the depot were forced to lie idle for six weeks - six long weeks in which the quarantined business ground to a halt.

"We had the drivers just working in the yard, tidying up. We had to do something to keep people employed," he said.

However, finally there is light at the end of the tunnel - even if it is only a glimmer.

About two weeks ago, the wagons were allowed to roll again and are back transporting livestock under the welfare scheme, as well as concrete and cement.

Foot-and-mouth leaves few crumbs of comfort.

Mr Monkhouse was among the first to be hit and at least be spared the torment of waiting for the disease to reach his door.

He said: "We were lucky in that we were one of the first ones hit, although it did not seem like that at the time. We're clean now, and that is a big help."

However, although the outlook is improving for the haulage yard, it is still a depressing picture.

Mr Monkhouse said: "We are cutting down on our livestock transportation because there will be less to do, and I've got one lorry and one livestock trailer for sale.

"But I'm happier now than I was two months ago.