James Rebanks recalls the dark days of 2001, facing the horror of foot-and-mouth disease.

James is the first son of a shepherd, who was the first son of a shepherd himself, he and his family have lived and worked in and around the Lake District for generations.

In this episode, he remembers the dark days of 2001, when farmers faced the horror of Foot and Mouth disease. From the loss came something unexpected: a neighbour's kindness led him to breed pure Herdwick sheep.

James Rebanks has a huge following on Twitter (he's the @herdyshepherd1 ) where you can see photographs detailing day to day life on the farm - including his fine flock of Herdwick sheep and, the latest additions to the workforce, sheepdog Floss's ten puppies.

Read by Bryan Dick

Written by James Rebanks
Abridged by Sian Preece

Producer: Kirsteen Cameron.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2015. Show less