MORE animals are to be slaughtered in Lancashire as a precautionary measure against foot and mouth after another farm was named as having a dangerous contact with the disease.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food confirmed that land at Dawson Lane, in Euxton, near Chorley, has been designated a dangerous contact.

Nine cattle and 16 sheep have been affected although no action has yet been taken. Following MAFF guidelines they will be slaughtered.

The land is the opposite side of Chorley from Withnell where East Lancashire's first case of foot and mouth disease was confirmed in February.

News of the latest case comes the day after residents in Chipping in the Ribble Valley were given the devastating news that the disease had finally reached their village.

The disease was confirmed at Harry and Mary Pye's Hillcrest farm in the village where 160 cattle and 320 sheep will have to be slaughtered.

That case brought the total number in Lancashire up to 14.

Today the NFU advised farmers to follow the guidelines to prevent the disease spreading further.

The NFU's advice comes at a time when farmers are considering turning livestock out to pasture after a long and wet winter indoors. NFU president Ben Gill said: "It's vital farmers continue to do everything they can to protect their animals and that useful information is made available."

Some of the advice offered includes: keeping cattle housed as long as possible, not grazing cows and sheep together, keeping up disinfection.

Mr Gill added: "While some of these measures will pose their own practical problems we know that farmers are desperate for any advice that might help them protect their animals."