Six new British foot-and-mouth cases

Six new British cases of foot-and-mouth were confirmed tonight as the latest surge of the outbreak continued.

Six new British cases of foot-and-mouth were confirmed tonight as the latest surge of the outbreak continued.

Two cases were discovered at Skipton, North Yorkshire, and another two were found at Clitheroe, Lancashire, the Ministry of Agriculture said.

The remaining cases were both discovered at Penrith, Cumbria, meaning the total number of outbreaks in the UK now stands at 1,684.

Restrictions on moving livestock have been widened around the latest sites.

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A MAFF spokesman said the measures in the Settle and Clitheroe areas would come into effect immediately.

Restrictions have been extended to the east to include the area between Wharfedale and Nidderdale and to the south east to Otley and Bingley.

The Government's chief scientific adviser Professor David King last month signalled the outbreak could effectively be over in time for the General Election.

But earlier this week he admitted that a fresh bout of cases in some areas meant the disease was now likely to continue until August.

PA