FARMERS in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa breathed a sigh of relief last week when Worcestershire was finally declared free of the foot and mouth disease.

The welcome news came with a warning to farmers to continue being cautious and vigilant to ensure the disease does not flare up and take hold on the county again.

Being disease-free will allow farmers to begin moving livestock around the county.

The chairman of the NFU in Worcestershire, Richard Jordan, said: "Altho-ugh we ought to guard against complacency, it is very good news for everyone in Worcestershire to know that we can move stock again.

"It is essential now that farmers continue to remain vigilant to ensure there is no repeat flare up of the disease."

Six of the counties which make up the West Midlands reg-ion have now been declared disease free but blood testing still continues in Shropshire and Herefordshire.