CATTLE will be back at this year's New Forest Show after being forced out of last year's event by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Show officials had been waiting to receive the all-clear from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and they have now been a provisional go-ahead.

"Although the fine details have yet to be finalised with Defra, we are now confident that cattle will be seen at the show this summer and at other shows around the country," said the New Forest event's executive secretary Richard Cuzens.

He added: "The planning process starts now and if foot and mouth proves to be really behind us. The sight of cattle and sheep will once again put heart back into the show. They might not be the first things people rush to see, but last year they were missed by everyone."

The show was dealt a shattering blow by foot and mouth last year, with some events cancelled and many going ahead without any farm animals.

This year, Mr Cuzens explained, they will have to apply for special licences and will have to bear the costs of complying with new legislation.

But show officials are confident the extra cost will be worthwhile as the grand parades of each day's best cattle and sheep are written back into the main arena programmes.

No decision has yet been announced by the show regarding its goat section.