FARMERS were today bracing themselves for the worst as foot and mouth disease claimed another case, only a short distance from the huge farming areas of the Vale of York.

Vets from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) identified the disease in animals at Manor Farm, at Kirby Knowle, just north east of Thirsk on the edge of the North York Moors, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 96.

Fears are now growing that the disease could spread to the Vale of York, Ryedale and East Yorkshire.

Ripon farmer Stewart Houston, chairman of the national pig association, said: "This combines with the case near Kirkby Malzeard to be a real threat to the rest of North Yorkshire and therefore East Yorkshire.

"What's really perplexing and disappointing is the way these outbreaks are cropping up away from the main areas."

Coun Geoff Ellis, from Easingwold, an arable farmer who also breeds pigs, said: "They're getting closer and this is less than 20 miles away and is a concern to farmers throughout the Vale of York and throughout the county of Yorkshire."

Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York, who said it was the first case in her constituency, has written to Secretary of State Margaret Beckett asking that the department review with North Yorkshire County Council the reopening of paths.

Meanwhile farmers were planning to boycott a visit by countryside minister Elliot Morley to Goathland, five miles from Lealholm, where four cases of foot and mouth have been confirmed.

NFU regional chairman and farmer Derek Watson said though he was attending, switching cars at Pickering, many farmers had made it clear they were not.

John Whiteley, North York Moors NFU chairman, said holding the meeting in Goathland was "insensitive".

A spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said everything and everyone attending the meeting would be properly disinfected.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, July 06, 2001