FEARS a Redditch farm could have been hit by foot and mouth disease have been laid to rest after test results taken from 181 sheep came back negative.

The sheep were slaughtered last Saturday on suspicion of having the disease at Cross Lane Farm, in Elcock's Brook.

But yesterday, MAFF confirmed results taken from the sheep were negative and the news has sent a wave of relief around Redditch farmers.

The farm's owner, David Mogg, said he was relieved, despite having to have all his sheep destroyed.

He said: "It would have been a disaster for the whole district if the results had been positive.

"The MAFF vets fear the worst and hope for the best."

Mr Mogg is to retire in the autumn and sell the farm, which has been in his family for 68 years.

He said: "The farm is to be split up and the farmhouse and buildings will probably be converted into houses.

"It is a rather sad end but it is the way farming has gone."

Mr Mogg, who actually lost 1,000 sheep altogether as some were killed on welfare grounds, added: "There is no future in farming and I am glad to be getting out."

Neighbouring farmer David Jones, of Brookhouse Farm, said his family had been living on a knife edge during the last week.

He said: "We are now very relieved - this is good news.

"Hopefully, the movement restrictions on us will now be lifted quickly.

"Our main concern now is shearing the sheep.

"As the hot weather begins, there will be a problem with flies and the sheep need to be sheared."