BEFORE this current foot and mouth outbreak comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to bring to your attention a local hero. We have seen and heard Anthony Gibson, regional director of the NFU, daily, talking about what has been going on.

I would like to bring another name to your attention. Ever since foot and mouth broke out at Highampton on February 25 our local NFU secretary Simon Whattler, ably assisted by Pearl and Mary, has been at the sharp end of this crisis. He has been working long hours, seven days a week.

To start with he just had to deal with those people sadly affected by foot and mouth, but once the contiguous policy was introduced his already high workload went through the roof.

Simon has been at the end of the telephone for anyone, NFU member or not. He has worked tirelessly to answer queries and provide information.

He has tried to get dead and rotting carcasses that have been lying there for a fortnight or so moved off farms. Even more importantly, he has been there to listen to the anguish and desperation of those who are isolated at a time when they needed to have people around them.

We farmers are very fortunate to have someone like Simon who is a former dairy farmer and who has understood the desperation and grief that farmers are suffering at the loss of their animals. We are all eternally grateful for his hard work and moral support.

James McInnes

Okehampton and Hatherleigh NFU chairman