A CRAVEN farmer, who won the battle to stop the wholesale cull of his pedigree cattle under the contiguous premises policy, has lost the war against foot and mouth disease.

Malcolm Beresford who runs Green Farm, Halton West, in partnership with his brother, Gordon, successfully blocked the entry of slaughtermen onto his land after the virus was discovered at neighbouring premises, owned by W Kenyon and Sons.

He argued his 250-strong Holstein Friesian herd was healthy and the firebreak between the two farms - a strip of non-stocked land - was adequate to prevent direct contact.

But within 24 hours of his cattle being removed from the slaughter list, Mr Beresford received the news the animals had caught the disease and were back on death row. They were due to be culled within the ministry's 24-hour policy.

It is believed Mr Beresford noticed signs of the disease on Wednesday evening and immediately contacted MAFF. He is said to be "absolutely devastated" by the news and too upset to speak to the press.

This outbreak will doubtlessly cause concern to two other Craven farmers, appealing to MAFF for the removal of the slaughter notice on their contiguous farms.

Richard and Val Brown, of Accraplatts Farm, Kirkby Malham, have taken legal advice after nearby Church End Farm was confirmed as infected.

The Browns were issued with a slaughter notice last Thursday and vowed to fight for their pure-bred Belgian Blue and Belgian Blue cross beef cattle. The farm also has sheep.

"The situation is very worrying," said Mrs Brown. "We really believe our animals are healthy because there was no contact between them and the animals at Church End Farm."

The Browns, who have two small children, said they had followed all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease and appealed to the public to be equally responsible and keep away from livestock.

Also appealing against a slaughter notice is Tony Shepherd, of Gargrave, who runs two farms within two miles of one another at Flasby and Eshton.

Bark Laithe Farm at Flasby was issued with a slaughter notice on Friday and St Helen's Farm, Eshton, is subject to a notice restricting the movement of livestock.

Mr Shepherd, who share-farms with John Henderson, of Coniston Cold, said he feared for his herd of commercial suckler cows and yearlings as well as 580 Mule sheep and 30 pedigree Suffolks. "We feel we should stand our corner," he said.