A FARMER who last week hit out at rumours that he had helped spread foot-and-mouth disease is still under investigation.

An army spokesman confirmed yesterday that they were removing carcases found in woods on land belonging to Mr Maurice Dickeson of Orchard Farm, Middleton in Teesdale.

"There were dozens of them and they appear to have been lying around for some time," he said. He expected the operation to be completed yesterday but was unable to confirm whether the animals had been suffering from foot-and-mouth or other welfare issues were involved.

A spokesman for Durham County Council trading standards said: "We are looking at information regarding two unconfirmed reports about the presence of carcases at two locations in the Middleton in Teesdale area."

Elsewhere in Teesdale it has been another bleak week, with outbreaks in several parts, the latest being at Mr Richard Harding's High Farm, Cleatlam, near Winston, taking the total of cases in County Durham to 78.

Baldersdale has been particularly badly hit, with contiguous culling involving eight farmers. One of the latest victims to go down with the disease is the Teward family of Hill Gill Farm.

"It is right around the reservoir now," said local NFU branch secretary Mr Phil Barber. "Farmers up there are well known for the high quality of their stock, but a lot has already gone."

Asked whether vaccination would ease the situation, Mr Barber said: "It is not a simple answer. If it was it would have been used at the start. The long-term effects are not really understood."

Others who have faced confirmation of foot-and-mouth this week are J P Coatsworth and Son of West Rackwood Hill, Hamsterley; T M and H Emerson of Wheatside Farm, Bildershaw Bank; R C and R A Cleminson of New Hummerbeck Farm, West Auckland; J D Atkinson of Low Barford, Winston; H W Laverick, Staindrop Field House, Evenwood Gate; D Allinson, West Briscoe, Cotherstone, and P Todd, Royal Oak, High West Garth Farm, Butterknowle