Last updated 08:59, Friday, 09 May 2008

DESPITE animal movement restrictions imposed because of bluetongue disease, almost 200 pedigree Belgian blue cattle will be shown and sold in Carlisle next week.

The Border British Blue Club’s annual spring show and sale will be held at Borderway mart on Friday and Saturday next week.

Steve Pattinson from the club said entries were about 50 down on last year because of the restrictions.

He added: “It is a remarkably good entry considering the movement restrictions that are in place.”

The disease surveillance and protection zones cover around two thirds of the country, reaching as far as York in the east and into Lancashire in the west.

No animals can be transported out of the zones and any that are taken in, cannot be brought back out.

The Carlisle show on May 16 starts at 2pm and the sale the next day is from 10.30am.