A new outbreak of foot and mouth disease involves an animal from Yorkshire, it was revealed this afternoon.

Four more cases of foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed, as chief veterinary officer Jim Scudamore reported new outbreaks in Anglesey in north Wales, in Lancashire, County Durham, and Northamptonshire.

The outbreak in Anglesey is at an abattoir which has been under investigation for some time. The animal involved was from Yorkshire.

The news came as Agriculture Minister Nick Brown indicated a possible easing of the ban on livestock movements to allow some animals to be transported directly to abattoirs under "strictly-controlled" conditions.

But Mr Brown also warned that the Government could shut footpaths close to farms to prevent the disease spreading.

Vale of York Tory MP Anne McIntosh called in the Commons last night for prompt legal action to close paths.

The new cases take to 16 the number of confirmed outbreaks, with the disease spreading to Wales.

The other cases were in Wolsingham, County Durham, involving a sheep bought at Darlington market; at Withnell in Lancashire, with an animal traced back to Hexham market; and a case in Wootton, Northamptonshire, traced to a farm in Devon.

All 110 slaughter line workers at Malton Bacon Factory were sent home on full pay.

The Countryside Alliance called off its planned London rally on March 18, and its chief executive Richard Burge claimed it would be unfair on rural voters to hold a General Election during the foot and mouth crisis.

The Easingwold-based president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU), Ben Gill, was reported as saying an election campaign would not be possible.

Nature reserves at Strensall Common, Askham Bog, Moorlands, Bolton Percy, Jeffrey Bog near Malton, Skipwith Common and Wheldrake Ings, were closed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food closed its regional service centre at Northallerton to visitors.

Flamingo Land Zoo near Pickering, has also closed to the public. The theme park is closed for the winter and unaffected.

Updated: 17:15 Tuesday, February 27, 2001