A FARMER who lost his temper as he listened to charges against him being read out in court later apologised for his outburst.

Ian Stuart Lancaster lost his composure as he entered pleas to six charges at Northallerton Magistrates' Court relating to the contravention of animal by-product regulations.

The 43-year-old, who was representing himself, protested his innocence and began displaying aggressive body language towards Alex Lynn, prosecuting on behalf of Trading Standards - until court staff calmed him down.

He was offered a break by chairman of the bench Robert Walker, but declined, later apologising.

Mr Lancaster, from Rosedene Farm in Carthorpe, Bedale, pleaded guilty to possessing animal material and failing to comply with community regulations.

He denied bringing a carcass not treated in an approved plant onto a site housing farm animals, and operating a plant for the storage and treatment of animal by-products in a manner not approved by regulations.

He did not enter pleas to two counts of failing to comply with community regulations on the keeping of records regarding animal by-products, and one charge of failing to ensure that animal by-products were held so as to ensure other animals and birds did not have access to them.

A trial date has been set for June 8.