NORTH-EAST farmers were last night praying that fears of a second wave of foot-and-mouth prove to be unfounded.

As officials confirmed another case in County Durham, farmers whose herds have so far avoided the deadly disease faced up to yet another problem.

For many farmers, the start of lambing could be the final nail in the coffin in what has so far been a disastrous millennium.

Because of the tight restrictions on animal movement imposed by the Ministry of Agriculture during the current crisis, farmers may have to leave pregnant ewes to fend for themselves.

And, if the weather turns bad, this could be a recipe for disaster.

Many sheep farmers, particularly in areas like Weardale, in County Durham, have parcels of land spread out over different areas.

Herbert Hutchinson, who with his son, William, farms at White House, Eastgate, is typical of the dale farmer.

They have 250 sheep next to their farm, but they also have 250 in a meadow just yards away, across the A689.

"At the moment, because of the movement restrictions, we can do nothing to bring those sheep across the road here to the farm," said Mr Hutchinson. "And all of them have been scanned to give birth to twins."

Although the Government has announced plans for the limited movement of animals, starting next week, the Hutchinsons have another 250 sheep on their land at Beckside, in Hamsterley, which is 18 miles away.

"We will have to make every attempt to bring these animals home," said Mr Hutchinson. "But if the ministry doesn't relax the movement restrictions even more, these ewes may be left to fend for themselves."

Mr Hutchinson said one alternative would be the training of someone at Hamsterley to tend to their sheep.

Another possible tragedy facing sheep farmers would be a halt to the movement of "pet lambs". They are brought in by farmers, usually from neighbours, when a ewe gives birth to a still-born lamb and is in need of comfort.

The Hutchinsons are lucky that they do not have to rely solely on sheep farming.

They also farm cattle and they own a large caravan park, although it is closed at present, because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

"But there are many farmers in the dales who rely purely on sheep, and if the weather turns nasty during lambing, they are facing financial ruin," said Mr Hutchinson.

"The start of this millennium has been a disaster for the farming industry.

"Last year we had 11 months of floods, followed by the BSE crisis, and now we are having to battle against foot-and-mouth.

"Many farmers must wonder where it is all going to end."

There is one bright spot to the start of the lambing season for the Hutchinsons, however.

They already have one lamb on the farm ... just three days old