Fears grow foot-and-mouth may still be spreading in UK

The total of confirmed foot-and-mouth cases in the United Kingdom had risen to 1,102.

That is an increase of 21 on last night's total.

A case at Ruswarp, near the North Yorkshire tourist destination of Whitby, is being closely scrutinised by the authorities.

The farm, not far from the North York Moors National Park, is around 40 miles from the nearest previous case.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said it was trying to establish whether there was a clear link between the affected farm and any other infected premises.

Similar investigations are continuing into the source of an outbreak at Hownam, near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, 50 kilometres from the nearest previously confirmed outbreak.

One unnamed Maff official was quoted as expressing alarm at the new, remote cases.

He was quoted as saying: "We felt we were starting to win the battle and it is worrying we have new cases so far away from other outbreaks and in areas that have so far been free of the disease."