An East Yorkshire farm which was under suspicion of involvement in the foot and mouth outbreak has been given the all-clear.

The Ministry of Agriculture revealed last month that one of the pigs involved in Britain's first outbreak of the disease in 20 years had originated from Vandon Lodge at Hook, near Goole.

The pig, which was sold via Selby Auction Market, was found to have the illness at an abattoir near Brentwood, Essex.

It was thought to have contracted it at the abattoir, rather than being infected when it left the county.

But tight restrictions were placed on the farm while tests were carried out.

Now the restrictions have been reduced, after investigations revealed that it did not have the disease when it left the farm.

The owner of the farm, Don Oldridge, told the Evening Press: "It is a relief. I have been keeping my fingers crossed and have been quietly confident."

But he stressed that the farm was still subject to some restrictions - like other farms across Britain - preventing the movement of animals.

And he said he would be keeping access to a minimum as he sought to keep it free of the disease.

Updated: 11:52 Friday, March 02, 2001