A suspected case of foot and mouth disease was being investigated today at a farm between Leeds and York, a MAFF spokesman said.

An exclusion zone has been set up around Park House Farm, near Thorner, pending the outcome of tests. The farmer and his family have been ordered to stay at home and people are being urged to steer clear of footpaths near the farm.

The spokesman said: "There is a farm in the area under investigation. Material has been removed from the animals concerned and tests are being carried out."

York could be heading for a meat shortage because of restrictions on moving animals imposed because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Supermarkets in the region are reported to be running out of meat while butchers say if the crisis continues there will be no more meat.

The crisis deepened after Asda announced one of its largest stores in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, had been cleared out of pork and lamb.

It is feared the clear-out could lead to rises in meat prices. Large parts of Knavesmire, in York, have been shut to the public as a precautionary measure. Footpaths across the racecourse and the centre of Knavesmire were shut by City of York Council as there are grazing rights on those areas. But a council spokeswoman said the area known as Little Knavesmire was still open, as it is not grazing land, so football matches will be able to take place over the weekend. Signs which had been put up in the area were being taken down later today.

The authority's rights of way officer had put them up because the area has grazing rights but it was decided to take them down as foot and mouth would only be an issue if animals appeared there.

Supermarket chain Somerfield admitted that the crisis could push up meat prices if it continued for much longer. Tesco and Waitrose said importing meat could force them to increase prices. York's Farmers Market, due to take place in Parliament Street tomorrow, has been cancelled.

Updated: 17:27 Friday, March 02, 2001