THE slaughter began in Weardale yesterday, as dozens of contaminated sheep from a haulier's yard were destroyed.

The farming community of Wolsingham was still reeling from the shock of Tuesday's confirmation that stock belonging to haulier Peter Monkhouse had the disease.

The 40 sheep, kept in a pen in the company's yard, were culled yesterday under the supervision of Ministry of Agriculture (Maff) vets.

It is understood a further 165 sheep were culled yesterday as a precaution.

The stock, kept in a field next to the yard, had shown no signs of the disease, but were destroyed on the advice of Maff officials, to prevent the outbreak from spreading.

Mr Monkhouse confirmed his stock had been destroyed yesterday. He said: "We have killed them today and will be burning them tomorrow.''

The 37-year-old businessman, who lives in the village with his family, has been left devastated by the outbreak.

He was due to take the stock, bought from Darlington mart, to the south last Friday, but transport restrictions meant he had to keep them in Wolsingham.

He warned farmers in the community to be extra-vigilant and report suspected cases straight away, in a bid to halt the disease, which is spreading rapidly across the country.

He also assured farmers that feed delivered by the company had not been taken from the contaminated area.

He said: "We have been on farms, but we have been taking precautions. Our vehicles have been disinfected since the outbreak hit the headlines.''

He first suspected his stock was infected when one of his sheep showed symptoms of the disease last Saturday. When a second became ill the next day, ministry vets were called in.

The 20-year-old business is facing possible financial ruin, as wagons based at the yard have been stopped from leaving the site.

Mr Monkhouse said: "I'm not sure how much money I will lose or how much compensation I will get. I'll have to wait and see."