RESIDENTS in Chipping spoke of their shock today as vets confirmed the Ribble Valley's first case of foot and mouth disease in the village.

The total number of affected farms in Lancashire has now risen to 14.

The disease was confirmed at Harry and Mary Pye's Hillcrest farm at Chipping, and Goose Green Farm at Forton.

About 300 sheep and 89 cattle were believed to be involved in the Forton case and 160 cattle and 320 sheep at Chipping.

Borough councillor Doreen Bailey, who lives at Wharf Farm just a few miles from the outbreak, said everyone was shocked. Her farm also has sheep and cows and said it was something everyone had been dreading but could not stop.

"It is an invisible enemy which just seems to turn up anywhere. Mr and Mrs Pye must be absolutely devastated and our hearts go out to them," she said.

Farmer Bill Bailey last year diversified by adding wild boars as a visitor attraction at his pig farm, around two-and-a-half miles from the outbreak site. He said:

It was officially opened last May by Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evens, but has been closed since the first outbreak began seven weeks ago. He has been unable sell any of his domestic pigs for pork since then.

"Normally I sell around 40 pigs a week but since the ban on livestock movement nothing has moved. We are just living from day to day," he said.

Ministry of Agriculture vets have tested his animals which so far remain clear.

MAFF chief vet Rob Paul said the Army would be called in to help with the slaughter and disposal of the livestock at Hillcrest, hopefully within 24 hours.They would then investigate other farms at risk and arrange for the slaughtering on those. This is the procedure which is followed and will be done in consultation with the Environment Agency and the Army.

"The most likely form of disposal will be either burial or rendering although burning is not ruled out. We have still to investigate how the disease got there. It appears at first glance to be an isolated incident."

Yesterday Mr and Mrs Pye were unavailable for comment.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said the confirmation of a foot and mouth outbreak at Hillcrest Farm in Chipping was "devastating news."