Precise planning is crucial to the operation

As work got under way at the mass burial site at Great Orton, he said the disease had caused a great deal of suffering to farmers in Cumbria.

"I can't tell you how much - I have had farmers in tears.

"One had just finished culling his farm and he wanted to thank me for the help the Army had given.

"He was leaving his farm because he couldn't bear to stay there any longer," he said.

Royal honour

Brigadier Birtwistle, 52, who was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Lancaster, joined the Army as a university cadet.

In the 10 years after graduating from Cambridge University in 1970, he served in various roles with the 1st Battalion Queen's Lancashire Regiment, and was posted to Germany, Northern Ireland and Nigeria.

Later in his career, he assumed command of the 1st Battalion, which served in Germany and Northern Ireland.

In recognition of its performance, Brigadier Birtwistle was awarded the OBE in 1992.

In 1995, he was made a colonel, and served on the central staff of the Ministry of Defence, as a military adviser and forward planner.

Up to half a million sheep will be buried at Great Orton

Before taking command of the 42 (North West) Brigade in 1998, he was Commandant of the Combined Arms Collective Training Group at Warminster, which trains a third of the Army each year.

Brigadier Birtwistle, who was born in Accrington, Lancashire, lives in the nearby Lune Valley with his wife Ann, daughters Harriet, 12, and Sophie, 10, and their two dogs.

In a biographical press notice released by the Army, his family is said to "tolerate his love of game shooting" and "occasionally allow him to indulge his passion for reading".

'Lasting effects'

Brigadier Birtwistle had been due to give up command of his brigade, based at Fulwood Barracks in Preston, at the start of April.

But an Army spokesman said he was extending his command until the end of April because of his role in the foot-and-mouth crisis.

"He is the person who has been dealing with a number of other agencies, such as environmental health and Maff, and he wants to see it through", the spokesman said.

When Brigadier Birtwistle does finish his last job, he will no doubt be keeping a close eye on how Cumbria recovers from the ravages of foot-and-mouth disease.

He said earlier this week: "I can't project how long it will last, but the effects will be seen for years.

"The Army is here to set up the systems to deal with the problem. I hope this is going to work, because if it doesn't the consequences for this area are terrible."