IT came out of the blue. Just as the foot and mouth crisis appeared to be fading out of public conscience, a serious outbreak has occurred in some of the most beautiful parts of the Dales.

The Ministry of Agriculture contacted the Craven Herald on Thursday evening just as 20,000 copies of the paper were being delivered to newsagents proclaiming that things were beginning to get back to normal. Such are the perils of a weekly newspaper!

In the last few days the story has grown - while in the rest of the country the outbreak has been given an increasingly low profile in newspaper and television. Rumours have abounded - the most virulent being that one farmer had been arrested. Not a shred of truth in this one.

Also this week has come increasing criticism of the extent of the culling policy. One scientist has claimed that it is not necessary to kill animals within three miles of an infected farm; 200 metres would be sufficient. It seems you pays your expert and takes your choice.

What is certain is that life in Ribble and Malham dales will never quite be the same again. Farmers and local business men face a torrid time. The only consolation, however scant, is that it in some ways it has pulled the community together.