Chief vet Debby Reynolds has placed a 3km Temporary Control Zone around a farm in Kent where animals are suspected to be carrying the Foot and Mouth virus, although she has not revealed the exact location of the farm.

Reynolds is keen to stress that there was a suspected case last week, on a farm in Dorking, that turned out to be a false alarm, and she hopes that this will be the same again.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said in a statement that such a precaution is ?not unusual?, and that ?We?re being ultra-cautious at this point.? Anyone concerned about their animals, or Foot and Mouth in general, is asked to call the Defra helpline, on 08459 33 55 77.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is continuing to urge farmers to exercise extreme vigilance and good biosecurity measures at this time.