TESTS are being carried out to see if a farm near Lancaster has fallen victim to the foot and mouth epidemic.

The farm is one of dozens across the country which have been put on a suspected list.

Government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) said they could only name farms where cases of foot and mouth had been confirmed.

But across the district the authorities have acted quickly to take steps to try and stop the spread of the disease.

The Lancaster to Caton cyclepath and the Crook o'Lune picnic site have been closed to the public as have a number of public rights of way in the countryside.

The closures take effect immediately and will remain until further notice. Signs have been erected and red tape placed across entrances to the new cycleway.

A council spokesman said it looked increasingly likely that the whole rural area would effectively be "closed down" if the disease turned into an epidemic.

Nature reserves at Leighton Moss and Trowbarrow at Silverdale have been closed to the public and routine visits to local farms have been stopped.

A parish by-election in Yealand Redmayne has been postponed, local angling groups say they will stay at home and the Ramblers' Association has called on members to stay off agricultural land and to avoid the countryside.

Two farms in Lancashire have so far been confirmed by MAFF as being contaminated by the disease but that figure is expected to rise.

The council's director of community services, Peter Loker, said: "Given the second confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the county, Lancaster City Council is keen to do everything it can to help prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease.

"With the number of foot and mouth cases still rising we are, as yet, unable to confirm a new date for the by-election or when the paths will re-open."

He added: "The city council apologises to the public for any inconvenience caused but hopes that they will appreciate the reasons for its decisions."