STAFF at the Defford branch of DERA have been reduced to tears because they have been confronted with the sight of a pile of dead pigs as they arrive at work each day.

The animals were slaughtered over the weekend as a precaution at a farm neighbouring the Government research base.

But one worker said staff had been very upset that the carcases had been left heaped up in full sight of the road and the base.

"It's wrong," said the employee, who asked not to be named.

"If they were covered then it would have made a difference because people couldn't see them.

"Most of the farms which have been affected are off the road, but this one is right by it. I know of one staff member who has been in tears.

"I feel very depressed seeing all these animals stacked up against a barn. If they were going to cull them they should have taken them away straightaway."

The animals were due to be collected yesterday afternoon by a haulier transporting dead livestock to the burial site at Throckmorton airfield.