'Rural nightmare' in the papers

With the sudden re-emergence of foot and mouth in Surrey, the Times talks of "a rural nightmare".

The Guardian writes of the anxiety and economic disruption that will be felt by farmers right across Britain.

The Independent's political editor, Andrew Grice, points out the disease has come back to haunt the government.

Gordon Brown, it is said, is now having to fend off charges that the government was too complacent with the earlier outbreak of the disease.

Financial matters

The Daily Telegraph carries an interview with the "low-profile" Chancellor Alistair Darling.

He accuses the banks of lending too freely and borrowers of not thinking about whether they are able to repay their loans.

The Independent uses one of its trademark front pages to highlight what it sees as a global financial crisis.

It mentions mortgage rates rising, house prices falling and High Street shops reporting slackening sales.

Taken root

The Guardian reports the findings of think-tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, into the threat posed by al-Qaeda.

The institute finds that al-Qaeda's ideology has taken root to such an extent that it could take decades to eradicate it.

The Daily Express says Portuguese police think Kate McCann's diary could hold "the critical clue" about her daughter Madeleine's disappearance.

The Sun says police want to carry out tests on Madeleine's favourite toy.

Operational growth

The Times reports that some RAF personnel serving in Afghanistan have been growing beards to command the respect of local tribesmen in Kandahar.

This is the first time they have been allowed to grow them for an operation.

The Daily Mirror has the story of a young farmer who stuck his picture and an appeal for a girlfriend onto the side of plastic milk bottles.

One was spotted by an American woman on holiday in the UK and now the two are planning to get married.