THE FARMER at the centre of East Lancashire's outbreak of foot and mouth disease today urged other people to heed warnings and stop the deadly virus spreading.

Arthur Pooley spoke as one of his fields in Withnell, near Blackburn, was set to become a funeral pyre as his 1,000-strong flock of sheep was slaughtered and burned.

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food officials yesterday confirmed that Mr Pooley's Ollerton Farm in Ollerton Lane in the village was infected by the virus -- one of the most infectious diseases in the world.

As soon as the outbreak was confirmed an Infected Area was imposed by MAFF extending to three kilometres around the farm and taking in 100 other farms, which were being inspected for the disease today to see if any other animals have come into contact with the disease.

Today the shocked local community spoke of their shock and support for Mr Pooley, who has owned the farm for 18 years and who today said he felt guilty for bringing foot and mouth to this area.

He said: "I feel guilty, of course, even though we have done everything we were supposed to do.

"I think the message has to go out to people to be careful in the countryside not to spread this disease."

The Government has announced plans to compensate farmers and other businesses affected by the outbreak as fears grow for businesses throughout the area left paralysed by the outbreak.

The week-long movement restriction on farms has been increased by a further fortnight but Agriculture Minister Nick Brown has announced plans to allow some movement of animals from disease-free farms to controlled abattoirs or holding areas. Footpaths surrounding the farm were closed off by Lancashire County Council officials to prevent walkers from spreading the virus.

It is believed the Withnell outbreak was sparked by an infected sheep bought from Hexham market in the North East on February 13.

Mr Pooley said: "It is unfortunate that our sheep came into contact with six sheep and a tup belonging to a man whose sheep were one of the first confirmed cases.

"I don't think the outbreak started with him. I believe it started with someone in Northumberland and it looks like he may have been feeding his pigs untreated swill, or swill made from meat that had been cured rather than cooked so it hadn't killed off bacteria."

Mr Pooley said the disease often started in pigs and said the MAFF vet who had been dealing with his flock had also dealt with an outbreak in East Anglia which was believed to have been started when walkers threw food over a fence to pigs.

He said: "My flock will be slaughtered and burned today -- it is the only answer. My family and I are upset, but we are slowly coming to terms with it.

"On Monday morning I found one of my sheep was ill, but neither my vet or I suspected foot and mouth. But by yesterday it had spread through the flock rapidly and it became obvious." Notices have been put up at the entrance to Ollerton Farm declaring it a foot and mouth infected area and police are controlling the movements of people on and off Ollerton Lane.

Everyone who comes out of the land has to scrub their shoes with disinfectant and all cars are also being disinfected.

Neighbouring farms have all been sealed off and are accepting essential visitors only, and the movement of animals around the area has been restricted.

The exclusion zone will be subject to road and public footpath closures. All farms in the restricted area are required to display keep out signs and provide disinfectant facilities.