THE images which have emerged from the foot-and-mouth crisis of 2001 will live in the memory for a long time.

They have been graphic, horrific, and sickening illustrations of one of the most disturbing peacetime disasters to face this country.

A small number of readers of The Northern Echo have written to express their concern at the publication of pictures showing burning carcasses and animal suffering.

That concern is entirely understandable. We appreciate that many people will find it distressing to be confronted by photographic evidence of the awful consequences of the current epidemic.

That said, we believe that it is right to publish such pictures because it is our view that they help hammer home the full seriousness of the crisis.

Shocking photographs from the Vietnam War were condemned at the time but are now credited with changing public opinion about a conflict which may otherwise have been prolonged.

Yesterday, Liverpool and Leeds footballers laid wreaths to mark the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Newspaper photographs of the suffering at that unforgettable tragedy also stirred controversy 12 years ago, but did they not play a part in generating public demands for improved safety at football matches?

Of course, considered judgements have to be made to ensure the right balance is achieved and it is right that readers remind newspapers of their responsibilities.

But there are also great dangers in sanitising news - news that has devastated the lives of so many farmers, hit businesses and indirectly affected many other people.

Agriculture Minister Joyce Quin faced fresh accusations of dithering over foot-and-mouth from angry vets in the North-East yesterday.

And, at a time when the Government is being told it is not acting quickly enough, we believe it is right that newspapers continue to keep up the pressure by illustrating the full horror of what is happening.

The images that are published across the country may not be pleasant, but they carry a powerful message - that everything possible must be done to stop this suffering quickly.