THE outbreak of foot and mouth disease has led to the cancellation of two conservation mornings in Redditch, due to take place on Sunday, writes Becky Procter.

Townsfolk are being warned to stay off footpaths and reserves around Redditch in a desperate bid to minimise the incidents of foot and mouth in the country.

The disease outbreak, which affects cloven-hoofed animals, causing blisters to form around the mouth and feet, was first reported last week from a farm in Northumbria.

The news led to the temporary closure of all markets and abattoirs, grinding the movement of any farm animals around the country to a halt.

And although no confirmed cases of foot and mouth have hit farms around Redditch, people are being warned to take precautions against any possible spread of the disease.

Members of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, along with volunteers, were going to perform a clean-up of Ipsley Alders Reserve in Ipsley and Lion Wood in Beoley.

A wildlife trust spokesman said the event had been cancelled as a precaution to stop any possible spread of the disease.

"We are warning everyone to keep off all reserves for the time being," the spokesman said.

Footpath officer for Beoley Parish Council Jim Yuill said: "It has been recommended we do not use the footpaths at all. So we are not taking any walks at all at the moment."

And town supermarkets have announced an increase in the sale of meat following the outbreak.

A spokesman for Sainsbury, in Abbey Retail Park, Redditch, said: "Our meat sales were up a total of 40 per cent on Saturday, so people did seem to be buying more.

"But on Sunday they levelled out again and there was no noticeable increase in our sales of meat."