Big loss worry at Welshpool mart

Around 10,000 sheep would have been sold at the market in a day

One of Europe's biggest livestock markets says it could lose tens of thousands of pounds if foot and mouth restrictions extend over several weeks.

Operators of Welshpool Livestock Auction in Powys said cancellation of Monday's livestock sales cost up to £20,000 in lost commission.

Senior partner John Jones said the loss would be extremely substantial both to the market and the farming community.

Normally around 10,000 sheep would have been sold at the market in a day.

However, all movement across the UK of livestock has been halted as part the precautionary measures to contain the outbreak.

On Tuesday a second case of foot-and-mouth has been confirmed at another Surrey farm, near the site of the first outbreak.

In Wales, almost 10 million cows, sheep and pigs are affected by the UK-wide ban on movement of livestock.

The strain of foot-and-mouth disease was first identified at a Surrey farm on Friday.