THE foot and mouth outbreak caused disruption in East Lancashire today even though no cases have been confirmed in the county.

An abattoir closed, animal centres and sanctuaries shut, walks were cancelled and shops anticipated a run on meat.

At least ten outbreaks of foot and mouth have been confirmed and a farmer in Darwen and another in Edgworth are among 600 being monitored as a precaution.

The Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries confirmed there are no reported foot and mouth infections in Lancashire although routine tests are being carried out on farms and particularly ones which have a link to the Essex abattoir where the disease was first discovered.

At Woodhead Brothers, in Colne, operations director David Woodhead said: "We have 430 employees and 130 staff have agreed to take four days holiday. We kept running yesterday but because no livestock can be transported we had to close today.

"We have enough meat in our freezers to supply supermarkets this week.

Butcher Gareth Jones, who works for Booths, with bases in Blackburn, Darwen and Belthorn, said there was no problem with supply and they had plenty of stock."

Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Turn Village, Rossendale, has locked its gates and estate manager Bill Holden said: "We just can't take the risk." The crisis has also hit the Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary in Oswaldtwistle which has confined visitors to a building where horses and ponies are and closed the other which houses sheep, pigs and goats and insisted on visitors disinfecting their footwear and hands on leaving the premises.

North East Lancashire Ramblers' Association has cancelled all walks and coach trips and horse riders have been advised to not to ride on farm land or move any horses by horsebox or trailer and to cancel all events which require horses to travel.

The RSPB has closed all its nature reserves and fisherman have been advised not to go on the river banks or waterways.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has asked people to avoid footpaths and bridleways and The Wildlife Trust has appealed to the public not to visit its reserves.