PHOENIX, the calf who touched the hearts of the country when she was rescued during the foot and mouth crisis, is to make her debut in the show world in North Yorkshire.

Now a year old, she is to appear at the Showman's Show North at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate, next month.

It will be the first time an animal has appeared at a show since the outbreak of the disease more than a year ago.

A licence from DEFRA has been obtained to allow Phoenix to enter the show, held on Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 7.

Owners Philip and Michaela Board, of Clarence Farm, near Axminster, said: "Farmers have had such a terrible time, we've been hit from every direction, but we thought this was a way of looking forward positively to the future."

Phoenix was found among the bodies of cattle and sheep, which had been culled as part of the measures to try to halt foot and mouth disease.

She rose to fame and her "death sentence" was lifted.

Heather Parry, of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which is hosting the event, said: "Phoenix is a tangible symbol of hope and optimism for future. We're delighted she is coming to the Showground."

Stephen Lance, Showman's director, said: "We are really pleased to see livestock being allowed back onto a showground for the first time since the outbreak. It's taken quite a bit of talking to get Phoenix to the Showman's North. Having her at the event is symbolic that the agricultural and country shows will rise again in 2002."

Updated: 11:24 Tuesday, February 26, 2002