EXACTLY seven months after foot and mouth forced the closure of one of West Devon's most popular B&Bs, its owners are preparing to open their doors again.

Former Landlady of the Year Jenny King and her husband John will be opening Higher Cadham Farm at Jacobstowe for business again on August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Because of its situation, the B&B, which is surrounded by farm buildings, is one of the last to have its restrictions lifted. All animals on the farm had to be slaughtered under the contiguous cull policy when foot and mouth reached their neighbour's farm in February.

Sixteen staff were laid off and all bookings, which included 650 meals and 175 B&B nights, had to be cancelled.

Yet despite the trauma and worry over the past seven months, Mrs King is putting it all behind her and concentrating on the future.

'Although it was awful, I think we have to try and forget what has happened — people do not want to stay and listen to us going on about it and complaining about MAFF/DEFRA.'

The Kings are hoping to gain foot and mouth recovery funds from the Government to open a pets corner and a new play area. Farm goat 'Gabby' and the pot-bellied pigs were always popular amongst visitors to Higher Cadham but unfortunately they also had to be killed because of foot and mouth.

Mrs King said she was feeling 'quite nervous' about opening up again but also excited.

'It will be great to see everyone again — the wonderful support and encouragement we have had from our customers and friends has really given us the strength to get through this and the lift we needed to get going again,' she said.

'Bookings for the first two weeks in September look good but we need a good marketing campaign to extend the season into the autumn months.'