All clear in foot and mouth scare

DEFRA has confirmed that a suspected case of foot-and-mouth in Lancs has proved nothing more than a scare.

A spokesman said DEFRA were called to the abattoir on Thurs because of suspicions over a Belgian Blue Steer and the abbatir was closed whilst the animal was inspected.

The all clear was sounded when the animal which had come from a farm in Harrogate and transported to Oldham was found to be lame.

However, as a precaution vets also inspected two animals which had come from the same farm as the steer, while they were at Gisburn Market.