MOST of Teesdale was yesterday classed as an infected area, with no movement of livestock allowed.

Durham County Council will not issue any more animal movement licences until further notice.

However Standing Stones Farm, Egglestone, was yesterday expected to be given the all clear and hopes were high of a second farm in the area also proving virus-free.

Meanwhile a Weardale small-holding became the sixth County Durham victim. Wayside, owned by Mrs Sheila Tock, was the third confirmed case in Witton-le-Wear, following outbreaks at Thompson's abattoir and Marshall Green Farm.

Wayside, with 21 Mule sheep, is close to Thompson's and Mrs Tock said she had kept the sheep as a hobby but it was "all over now".

NFU spokesman, Mr Phil Barber, said yesterday that there was still only one confirmed outbreak in Teesdale.

County Coun John Shuttleworth is to write to the Agriculture Minister, Mr Nick Brown, appealing for government help as he is concerned that farmers, hauliers and local marts will suffer in a way not seen for decades.

Weardale farmer Mr Ken Anderson revealed how his life's work was wiped out in one day after his pig farm was found to have the virus.

Mr Anderson, who farms at Hamsterley, said he was devastated when inspectors confirmed his worst fears on Thursday of last week after an agonising four-day wait.

His 1,700 pigs were slaughtered and incinerated this week.

"I've been here for 35 years and then it all just stops in one day," said Mr Anderson, who is 60. "I can't complain about anybody; the job has been right."

The worst part was seeing his pigs slaughtered and burned on the farm. "You never think your pig unit is going to be a slaughterhouse, that's what hits hardest."

Mr Anderson also runs a haulage business transporting pigs. "We have three wagons just standing idle," he said. "The pig unit will be out of action for six months so we can't do anything. We are just sitting round like zombies."

He was not interested in trying to blame anyone. "It's just an unfortunate set of circumstances," he said.

Despite the tragic events, Mr Anderson was trying to remain positive about the future: "We'll have to get over this, give ourselves a shake down and start again."