Nine more cases of foot-and-mouth were confirmed today, including the first outbreak in the West Midlands, said Britain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Seven more cases of foot and mouth have been confirmed across six British counties, taking the total number of cases to 103.

The British Government has announced the early release of compensation for the crisis-hit farming community as the number of cases of foot and mouth disease rose to 52.

Another five cases of foot and mouth disease have been confirmed in Britain, bringing the total to 48.

A fourth Scottish farm has fallen victim to foot and mouth disease, says the Scottish Executive.