Crufts 'will go ahead' despite foot and mouth

The Crufts dog show is to go-ahead as normal despite the foot and mouth outbreak.

There were fears the show, being held at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre from March 8 to 11, could be cancelled as the disease spreads.

In a statement, however, the The Kennel Club said the Ministry of Agriculture had given organisers the all-clear.

It read: "Following a meeting between representatives of the Kennel Club and officials from MAFF, it is confirmed that Crufts will go ahead as planned.

"At this meeting, MAFF also advised that Crufts poses no greater threat than other public gatherings. MAFF also confirmed that dogs and their handlers are not at risk from foot-and-mouth disease."