PEOPLE living and working close to East Lancashire's second outbreak of foot and mouth disease today spoke of their shock and fears for their town.

A field opposite Slinger's abattoir in Great Harwood was yesterday named as the country's 22nd confirmed case of the infectious disease -- just 24 hours after farmer Arthur Pooley's Ollerton Farm in Withnell was sealed off as an infected area.

Workers at firms near the field in Wood Street said they feared for their own livelihoods and the jobs of the abattoir workers.

Martin Feather, owner of ABC Upholstery opposite Slinger's, said: "I feel sorry for the lads who work in there. They have all got mortgages and families to feed and their jobs could be at risk.

"I know a lot of the lads who work at Slinger's and it is worrying for them. But if they seal off this whole road and area around Slinger's then this could affect my business as well.

"If they put a 3km exclsuon zone around the place then that is the whole of Great Harwood -- everyone's lives will be affected."

The abattoir is next to Great Harwood FC's ground and the outbreak is expected to affect their home game against Woodley Sports in North West Counties League Division One on Friday night. Nobody from the club was available to comment.

As soon as MAFF officials confirmed the outbreak at Slinger's, workers sealed off the warehouse with disinfected hay in a bid to stop the virus spreading any further.

Philip Mullen, who has run Riding's Autos opposite Slinger's for 23 years, said: "We have only just found out. I am shocked that it has come to this area. I am worried for my business now."

But Jimmy Woods, of Bowland Foods, Wood Street, which processes meat supplied by nearby Wholesale Meat Supply, said he was not concerned it would affect his business.

He said: "We are well stocked up with supplies. In any case, no animals have been slaughtered since the ban on animal movement and we are still getting supplies." PRECAUTION: A Slingers worker disinfects car tyres at the plant