FOOT and mouth disease restrictions have beaten plans for livestock at Otley Show - for the second year running.

With just over ten weeks remaining until the show organisers have now firmly ruled out the return of cattle and sheep because of continuing DEFRA restrictions, although other show attractions will still go ahead.

Organiser Wharfedale Agricu-ltural Society had hoped for a triumphant return on May 18 after last year's show was cancelled because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

But show secretary Janet Raw said it would be 'virtually impossible' to ensure all the DEFRA requirements for having cattle and sheep at the show would be met.

Mrs Raw said: "Following a meeting of the Executive Committee, the decision was taken regretfully, that for this year only, there could be no cattle or sheep on show day.

"In particular, livestock would have to be segregated from he public with fencing to prevent contact and the organisers felt that it was this close contact with livestock which the public most enjoyed. The organisers felt that in view of the generosity of the landowners in lending the fields for the show, that it would be too much to ask of them."

The current restrictions would also mean that no livestock would be able to graze on the showfield area for 28 days before and after the event.

The restrictions may also have deterred many farmers from bringing animals to the show, as DEFRA regulations on livestock movement would mean they could not move any livestock on or off their land for several weeks around the show period.

Sheep farmer and regular Otley Show exhibitor, Ian Briggs, of Hawkstone Farm, Hawksworth, said: "It's just to be expected. We're still not really out of the woods yet, not until lambing time is over."

He said he would have been unlikely to take his own sheep to the show, but hopes to return next year.

But the drive has already begun to attract visitors to the show's alternative attractions.

Classes for horses and ponies, poultry, pigeons, waterfowl, produce, handicraft and junior classes will go ahead.

The show - the first of the year in the North of the country - also plans to include vintage tractors and cars, a larger exemption dog show than in previous years, and hopes to secure a visit from world-renowned 'horse whisperer' Monty Roberts - who pioneered new humane methods of training and handling horses.

President of Otley Chamber of Trade, Jonathan Rutter, said: "I would like to encourage everyone to support this year's show to bring a much needed boost to the town at the start of the summer."

Leeds North West MP Harold Best said he hoped to support the show by going along himself. He said he understood there would be disappointment, but said he favoured the show's decision to be cautious.

Mr Best said: "I've always belonged to the cautious school, and I think we should go very carefully into the future with the history that we've had recently."

The Sheep Show, which demonstrates farming techniques and speed breeds, is set to return to Otley Show this year, and may still include a number of sheep as part of the display.

Mrs Raw said trade stands are still available, and anyone interested can contact her at the show office, 15 Bridge Street, Otley, or by calling (01943) 462541, or (07961) 966952.