FARMERS have criticised the Government for its handling of the distribution of Census forms.

Stephen Cleminson, of New Hummerbeck Farm, West Auckland, County Durham, said a delivery girl ignored Keep Out signs at his farm.

When he asked the girl if she had disinfected her feet, Mr Cleminson, 43, said he was astounded when she said no - and asked why she had to.

He said: "I have a big bath of disinfectant outside and, after I asked, she never even offered to disinfect her feet.

"She asked me to give a form to the man next door, because he had no entry signs up. She didn't understand when I said it was my entrance.

"I think it is ridiculous that they are going round farms."

Mr Cleminson is waiting to hear whether or not he will lose his stock after neighbour Andrew Gibson, of Fairview Farm, Evenwood Gate, was told his animals had contracted foot-and-mouth.

He said: "She had been on his land before she came on to mine and then went on to another neighbour. The Government has accused farmers of spreading the disease, but their own people are going around doing it."

Area census manager Janine Turner vowed to investigate allegations made by Mr Cleminson and Mr Gibson, who raised similar concerns in The Northern Echo earlier this week.

She said that workers had been given strict guidelines about going on to farmland and these should be followed.

Mr Gibson pledged to start his business again only moments after he lost his livestock to the virus.

The farmer was left to pick up the pieces after the cattle and sheep on his farm were slaughtered and taken away.

He said: "I certainly have the inner drive and ambition to do it."

But he said the farming industry must have the support of the consumer and that fair prices needed to be brought in.

He said: "I would rather have a fair price for my product than subsidies. There needs to be a great debate on that."

The 28-year-old spoke moments after Ministry of Agriculture officials broke the news to him that some of his cattle had foot-and-mouth.

He said: "At the moment, I just feel as if I have had my livelihood removed and the rug has been pulled out from underneath me.

"I took on the farm financial management capacity about three years ago, just after BSE, and built the stock from 40 cattle to approximately 300 - then this happens.

"It has been slowly creeping towards us, and it has not been a nice wait. But the army have been absolutely second to none.

"Their contribution, handling and personal communication has been something else. They and the vet who handled our case have been heroes."