A FARMER told he could not move livestock after the foot and mouth outbreak in Astwood Bank could be forced to take drastic action to ensure the welfare of 550 sheep, writes Becky Procter.

Adam Quinney, of Reins Farm, said there were severe health implications for his ewes, due to lamb next month, because they were all in one field.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has stopped Mr Quinney from moving livestock because he is within 3km of the infected farm.

The Sambourne farmer said he would run out of food for the sheep in a day and would have to buy in hay from a neighbour.

But he said: "If we can't get the sheep across the road where there is 140 acres of grazing then we will have to build a temporary dam in the stream which runs underneath the road.

"And when it dries up, we will actually take the sheep underneath the bridge which runs over the road."

Confirmed cases of foot and mouth are mounting by the day but no more outbreaks have been reported in and around Redditch after one at Windy Bank Farm.

More than 150 sheep and three cattle were slaughtered and burnt at the farm in a bid to stop the disease from spreading.

Everyone in the town has been affected by the crisis - footpaths and bridleways have been closed and social functions scrapped.

But town butchers and supermarkets say the meat supply is currently sufficient.