A WORCESTERSHIRE farmer has joined calls to stop the cull of animals free from foot-and-mouth after her healthy cattle were slaughtered.

Devastated Carol Vaughan watched in horror as her herd was led away for slaughter on Saturday.

But she says that she should never have been forced to go through the pain and distress she experienced at the hands of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Mrs Vaughan, of Moat Farm, Crowle, claims she did not have clear correspondence with MAFF and said that because she felt there was no risk to her 13 cattle they should not have been slaughtered.

MAFF ordered the cull on Saturday, because nearby Ravenshill Farm, in Tibberton, was found to be infected with foot-and-mouth.

"I just can't understand what's going on," said Mrs Vaughan, who was fighting back her tears.

"There are lots of farms around here that have been told their stock must go, but there are others who have been left alone.

"If I'd known then, what I know now, I would have done everything I could have to have stopped them from taking away my cows.

"There's a lot of healthy animals round here that should have been spared. The unfairness of this is too much.

"I led my ladies into the shed and I felt terrible, knowing it would be the last time I would do it, and they just followed me."

Mrs Vaughan, who has farmed for 22 years, said without the support of the Green Howards regiment, she would not have coped with the cull.

"I was so upset but the Army were great," she added.

"They've been wonderful. God bless the British Army.

"Cpl Adam Gazzard put his arm around me and talked to me about what would happen.

"They helped me get the rest of my cattle rounded up and sat with me.

"I would never have coped without them."

The team of two soldiers, Cpl Gazzard and Cpl Ian Birtle, arrived at the farm 90 minutes before the slaughterers.

"I'm glad we were able to help," said Cpl Gazzard, who is now back in Warminster, Wiltshire, on leave.

"Mrs Vaughan was really upset so I just comforted her.

"It's always good to hear positive feedback but we were just doing what we'd been sent out to do."