GWENT could be on the road to recovery in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease. At midnight, Monmouthshire and the South Wales valleys were down-graded from 'infected area' to 'at risk' status.

As part of that high-risk status imposed on Monmouthshire last month, farmers were not allowed to sell stock or move it out of the county.

Under the new status sheep movement for farmers in Monmouthshire and the South Wales Valleys is still restricted, but cattle and pigs can be moved out.

The vice-chairman of the National Farmers' Union in Monmouthshire, Rhys Parry, gave the news a cautious welcome.

He said: "Obviously it's very good news and a move in the right direction, but we are still not totally clear.

"The time to celebrate will be when all of England and Wales is confirmed as foot-and-mouth free."