Foot-and-mouth cases rise to 607

The number of confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth in Britain has risen to 607.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website says 47 new cases have been confirmed.

The national total includes the Northern Ireland outbreak. MAFF announced 45 new cases yesterday.

Cumbria Police said a new case of foot-and-mouth had been confirmed in the Duddon Valley area - a large area in the south west of Cumbria near to Coniston Water.

MAFF vets have requested the closure of a number of roads in the vicinity and police have responded.

Disinfected mats are being installed and motorists are being advised not to make any unnecessary journeys.

Farmers are believed to be particularly worried at the latest outbreak because of the proximity of the latest case to the fells.

A number of rare and hardy breeds inhabit the fells and there loss would be a bitter blow.

A MAFF spokeswoman said there are currently 192 cases in Cumbria but this number is rising all the time.

Brigadier Alex Birtwistle, who is in charge of the operation in Cumbria, said the Army is licensed to bury up to 500,000 animals at the mass grave it is building on the airfield site, but he did not know if it would take that many.