Three cattle and 150 sheep at an unidentified Astwood Bank farm will be incinerated this afternoon after the latest case of foot and mouth disease was confirmed at 11am today, writes Becky Procter.

The latest case, confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is the first in Worcestershire.

Movement into and out of farms within a 3km zone has been restricted and all movements into the affected farm have been stopped except for specially licensed vehicles.

MAFF advises restrictions in a zone of at least 8km around infected farms which would encompass all of Redditch, Alcester, Inkberrow and Feckenham.

Residents have been advised to take precautions.

People should avoid all unnecessary journeys and disinfect clothing, footwear, and vehicles.

Farmers within the area will be advised to put up a bell or gong at the entrance to their farm to communicate with people at their land boundaries and will have to change clothes and wash with soap and hot water and wash their hair after meeting other farmers.

MAFF is set to issue an update at 4pm and the Advertiser site will be continually updated with the latest development