THE Citizen rounds up the latest news on the foot and mouth epidemic.

Now lambs face slaughter too

THE foot and mouth crisis in the district worsened this week with animals at two more farms contracting the disease.

Lower Highfield Farm in Halton and Old Hall Farm in Burton-in-Kendal, near Carnforth, have been identified by MAFF officials.

Both farms have links with Halton Park Farm, the first in North Lancashire to contract the disease.

The animals on each farm will now be slaughtered including the new born lambs.

A MAFF spokesman said that it was likely that other farms in the district could be affected.

Meanwhile the university cycle track, closed as a precautionary measure to prevent foot and mouth disease spreading, has been reopened following a risk assessment carried out by Lancaster City Council.

The re-opened stretch runs from the link from Collingham Park to Bailrigg Lane and then on to the university.

However, the council is urging the public to continue complying with other access restrictions brought in to try and curb the spread of foot and mouth disease. In particular, it is reminding the public that any dogs in an area infected with foot and mouth disease must not be allowed to run free. Any dog seen running free in a restricted area will be treated as a stray and impounded.

Lancashire County Council has already closed non-urban rights of way network under orders issued by the government and anyone who contravenes the order could face a fine of up to £5,000.

The measure includes all non urban footpaths, bridleways, cycle paths and rights of way in the Lancaster district, including the shores at Bolton-le-Sands, Hest Bank and Sunderland Point and the Barrows at Torrisholme.

The Trowbarrow Local Nature Reserve path near Silverdale and the council owned Local Nature Reserve on Warton Cragg are also closed.

The cycle track between the M6 Motorway bridge at junction 34 and Skerton, re-opened on 8 March. The cycle track which runs from the Millennium Bridge to Morecambe is also open.

Animal charity bids to bounce back

LANCASTER Charity Animal Care is appealing for help as it attempts to bounce back from the foot and mouth crisis.

The charity, closed for two weeks by the epidemic, is open for appointments only from this week and is desperate to find good homes for some of the animals currently housed in its packed buildings.

Staff have already resorted to taking some animals home at night, and the centre has no room for new animals, meaning it will not be able to rescue any unwanted animals until some kennels are cleared.

The lack of visitors has also caused donations to dry up, and the charity is keen to hear from anyone who can offer money or even food to help tide them over the next few weeks.

Spokesman Stephen Wakelin said: "We have a kennel for 20 dogs, plus four in isolation but staff have started to take animals home as well.

"We are struggling enough with the workload and we won't be able to take on any more unwanted animals in at the moment.

"This will have a knock on effect for the rest of the year now. We have been struggling with the bridge closure and a virus affecting some of the cats and the foot and mouth has just made things worse."

Appointments or donations can be made by calling Animal Care on 65495.

fillip for resort's tourism

ONE of the more unexpected effects of the foot and mouth epidemic has been a boost to Morecambe's tourist trade.

Tourism bosses are delighted at the massive numbers of visitors that have flooded to the resort at the start of the season.

And, although the weather has been good, they believe restrictions on access to the countryside has played a major part in the resort's renaissance.

Tourism chief, Ron Sands expalined: "Whilst we sympathise with the farmers, whose plight is heartbreaking, and we do not want to make capital out of their misfortune, the crisis in the countryside has made people think of Morecambe and other seaside resorts as alternative places to visit."

The new promenade and stone jetty were both busy with walkers who would normally have gone out into the countryside.Surprise