A FARMER is preparing to lose his livestock after his farm became the latest victim of the foot and mouth epidemic.

Hyndburn Council confirmed yesterday afternoon that it had received instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that the disease had been discovered at Cowden Farm, off Dean Lane, Great Harwood.

MAFF officials confirmed an outbreak in Great Harwood but would not name the farm.

A spokesman said: "Vets have confirmed a case of foot and mouth in one of the sheep. The farm has a couple of dozen cattle and several hundred sheep. An evaluation will be carried out before arrangements are made for the destruction of the animals."

The electoral roll shows the occupier of the farm as Alan Barnes.

An exclusion zone has been thrown up around the site, with cars banned from Dean Lane, which links Great Harwood to Whalley and is the only link road to Bowley Scout Camp.

Manager of the nearby Dog and Otter pub, Alberto Rodrigues, said: "The farmers will be so upset.

"It is affecting our trade because we used to have a lot of farmers coming in here but that has stopped.

"However, we must all support them and hope they come through it."

Six outbreaks have been confirmed across the county, including an abattoir in Great Harwood farm in Withnell.

Two more farms in Withnell have been designated 'high contact risk' and have had to lose their livestock. David Allonby, of Hyndburn Council works department, said: "We have received instruction that Cowden Farm has a case of foot and mouth."

Hyndburn Council leader Councillor Peter Britcliffe, urged residents in the borough to stick to the rules laid down to minimise the spread of the so-called plague.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "This is disastrous news for the area. The government needs to improve the time between detection, killing and disposal of infected animals."