What will happen to Mabel the cow?

The foot-and-mouth outbreak has left communities in Surrey worried for their livestock.

Noah's Ark nursery in Surrey has goats, a pig and a cow

It is not just farmers and smallholders who have been affected. A children's nursery in Woking has also been hit.

Noah's Ark in Woking lies within the 3km (1.8 mile) protection zone around one of the farms at the centre of the outbreak.

The nursery has a collection of 11 animals, six of which are at risk. Some of the animals were either unwanted pets or have been saved from being sent to slaughter.

But now the nursery is nervous. The animals are being tested for foot-and-mouth - and their fate is no longer clear.

The animals at risk from foot-and-mouth include three goats called Alfie, Scooby and Scragg who were rehomed from the RSPCA, a pot-bellied pig called Pinkie who was saved from slaughter, and an adopted sheep called Blackie.

However, nursery owner Peter Churchley says there is no doubt who the real star is: Mabel, the Jersey cow, who came to the nursery in 1992.

Mabel was bought at Slyfield market in Guildford when she was about one week old. She was bought by Ann Palmer and Lynn Sliwerski, and was so young that she needed to be reared by hand on powered milk.

15 years later she is still enjoying life at her Surrey home as the undoubted boss of the clan

Mabel is being checked for the foot-and-mouth virus every day

Noah's Ark has more than 50 children aged between three months and four-and-a-half years old.

The animals are very popular and the children have close contact with them in a protected environment.

Mr Churchley says: "Whenever the children arrive in the morning or leave in the evening, they say hello or goodbye to all the animals."

However, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth in the area has changed all of this. The children are no longer allowed near the animals.

Mr Churchley has tried to explain to them the reason behind this.

He has told them: "Some animals are getting sick and catching a bad cold.

Some animals are getting sick and catching a bad cold. We want to make sure that Mabel and her friends don't catch it and so we can't go near them any more How nursery owner Peter Churchley tells his children they can no longer touch the animals

"We want to make sure that Mabel and her friends don't catch it and so we can't go near them any more."

The animals were first tested for foot-and-mouth on Sunday afternoon, following news of the first outbreak in the area.

Then came word that there was another outbreak at a farm even closer to the nursery.

Since then, the animal health inspectors have been visiting daily to assess the situation and give advice to Ann Palmer, who has been responsible for the animals' welfare since the nursery opened in 1991.

The animals are being constantly monitored and they will continue to be tested until the area has been given the all-clear.

Mr Churchley says he finds the situation in his community very distressing.

"I feel dreadful. Farmers are the people most directly affected, but anyone who cares about animals and their welfare will be upset if animals lose their lives."

Mr Churchley will let the BBC News website know how Mabel and her friends get on - and we will keep you updated.