FOOT-and-mouth disease has decimated the busiest ever month in the history of Malvern's Three Counties Showground.

Thousands of visitors had been expected to pour through the gates of the popular attraction to see a number of animal shows in March.

The first event to suffer is this weekend's National Vintage Tractor Show and Sale, which has been scrapped by organisers, Kelsey Publishing and auctioneers H J Pugh & Co of Ledbury.

"It's unfair to expect tractor followers to travel the country to either show, purchase or sell their items whereby possibly spreading the disease even further," said a spokesman.

Showground bosses have been advised to cancel other animal shows following the outbreak of the epidemic in Herefordshire.

General manager, Tony Halls, has decided to cancel a large number of events on the advice of Malvern Hills District Council.

These include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel show on Saturday, the English Setter show on Saturday, March 17, an equestrian event on Sunday, March 25, and Flat Coat Retrievers and Rottweilers shows on Saturday, March 31.

Other attractions to go include the National Sport & Riding Horse Sale on Tuesday, March 6. It is to be held on Tuesday, April 3.

The sale brings together proven and potential show jumpers, hunters, dressage horses, riding horses and performance ponies from all over the country.

Equine auctioneer Richard Botterill of Hereford-based Brightwells Auctioneers, which organised the sale, said the company had "done what had to be done".

"It would be irresponsible for us to even think about having a sale next week," said Mr Botterill.

"Horses are very low risk but can carry the disease just like human beings can".

A new date is yet to be set.

Antique and other non-animal events will still go ahead at the showground, with special disinfectant procedures in place.

"This was the busiest March in the showground's history with 23 events," said Mr Halls.

"Now it's decimated - it's quite dramatic, a tremendous blow."

No decision has been made on April's attractions including the West of England Ladies Kennel Society championship dog show - one of the biggest in the country.

"I'm hanging on for that until we get further national directives and we see how the situation develops," added Mr Halls.

"The decision on cancelling the dog shows was made on the advice of Malvern Hills District Council.

"Public events where people are driving on to the showground not trodden by livestock are perfectly safe and we'll disinfectant as a precaution as well."