THE Great Yorkshire Show is set to go ahead despite foot and mouth - minus the traditional farm animals.

The Yorkshire Agriculture Society says it is "optimistic" the event can take place as planned at Harrogate from July 10-12.

It will re-examine the situation at the end of April, taking into account how the foot and mouth crisis has developed.

But cloven-hooved animals that can catch the disease - cows, pigs, sheep and goats- will definitely be missing from the showground.

But the organisers are still hoping to have classes for horses and smaller animals such as rabbits, pigeons and poultry.

Many other agricultural shows in Yorkshire, including the Malton Show, have been cancelled because of foot and mouth.

The Great Yorkshire organisers say they are investigating how their show can be used to help farmers recover and re-establish their businesses.

They see the event as an opportunity to "fly the flag" for British agriculture.

"The repercussions of foot and mouth will go on for a very long time and what we very much want to do is use the show to boost morale in the industry, and as a platform to help farmers with their long-term situation," said honorary show director Christopher Hall.

"We are now looking at the practicalities of how this can be done, particularly as the society itself is a charity. We would hope that our sponsors, members, exhibitors and general show visitors would join us and see the show as an opportunity to support farmers."

Show organisers have pointed out that the event has gone ahead in the past during foot and mouth outbreaks, for example in 1952 and 1967.

Derek Watson, chairman of the York County branch of the National Farmers' Union, who farms at West Knapton, near Malton, today gave cautious backing to the decision to go ahead with the show, saying he hoped the outbreak would be well under control by July.

Updated: 10:42 Saturday, April 07, 2001