A HANBURY farmer is exercising a virtual shutdown of his premises to thwart the devastating consequences of foot and mouth disease.

David Ford, of Lower Goose Hill, has doused the premises with disinfectant and put straw drenched in germ killer in driveways.

Vehicles travelling through his property are sprayed to kill bacteria.

The 64-year-old has 1,500 pigs and 250 cows and remembers the 1960s epidemic.

He said: "It's very frightening. Your entire livelihood can be lost if just one case is found.

"I'm hoping my farm will be safe although I've heard about cases in Hereford and Staffordshire. It's getting closer and closer to home."

At Mr Ford's farm, 80 piglets are born and 80 pigs are sent for slaughter each week.

Because agriculture minister Nick Brown has banned all livestock movement, Mr Ford is concerned about how he will deal with animals as numbers increase.

Macarthur, Barstow and Gibbs veterinary surgery, in Corbett Street, has been inundated with calls from anxious farmers and residents.

Vet Daniel Carroll said: "Many pet owners want to know if their animals could be infected.

"Animals at risk are cloven hoofed animals such as pigs, sheep and cows, plus hedgehogs and rats.

"But people, cats, dogs or anything that can carry mud or dung could spread the virus."

Mr Carroll said the airborne virus creates ulcers and a fever.

It can be treated but animals are destroyed to prevent further cases.

The Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has warned people not to embark on country walks until the outbreak is under control. The town's Tory MP, Peter Luff, wants farmers to be given powers to close footpaths through their land during the crisis.

A National Farmers' Union spokesman said: "Farmers will do whatever it takes to stop the disease turning into the complete catastrophe it was in the 1960s.

"The ban is devastating for us."

Anyone needing specialist advice about the outbreak can call a MAFF hotline on (01905) 763355.