FARMERS across North Yorkshire are hoping to see the foot and mouth outbreak declared officially over by Government vets this week.

Blood tests on the region's livestock were carried out over the weekend to ensure farm animals are at last free from the disease.

Chief veterinary officer Jim Scudamore was due to receive the test results early this week.

The last recorded case was on September 30, and there are hopes the county's struggling farmers will be able to get back on their feet as restrictions on animal movements are relaxed.

Derek Watson, North Yorkshire NFU County Chair, said everyone in the farming community was delighted at the three-month milestone.

He said: "All along through the outbreak, scientists have been saying we needed this 90-day mark before we could look further ahead. We can go into the New Year with a positive outlook. It's a step in the right direction."

Mr Watson, who farms at West Knapton, near Malton, said he hoped the chief vet would ensure farmers had a more positive start to 2002.

He said: "Every farmer has their fingers crossed that the Government's chief vet will say this disease is over, and I can see no reason why he would not do that.

"It will be a marvellous way to end what has been such a difficult time."

But Mr Watson said there was still a lot of work to be done for the industry to get back on its feet.

He said: "By the time the cleaning and disinfecting facilities are in place and all the paperwork is completed I can't see a start to livestock markets before mid-February.

"Let's just hope it's no later than then."

Updated: 11:56 Monday, December 31, 2001