Foot-and-mouth investigators close in source

Officials believe they are closing in on the source of foot-and-mouth disease.

Investigators are concentrating on a farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland.

Emergency restrictions have been put on the farm, following reports of a "highly suspicious disease" in pigs.

A Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spokesman said it is suspected the disease may have been present at the farm "for some time".

Material from animals has been sent to a laboratory in Purbright, Surrey, for testing.

The MAFF spokeswoman could not confirm how long it will be before the test results will be back.

"What we are looking at is whether there is foot-and-mouth on the premises. We haven't yet confirmed that there is foot-and-mouth on there at the moment," the spokeswoman said.

"We could have results today if it is a strong positive, if not it could take a week or longer. It would depend on the results."

The farm, which has not been named, is a meat supplier to the abattoir in Little Warley, near Brentwood, Essex, where the original outbreak was identified.

MAFF is currently investigating 270 potential sources of the outbreak.