URGENT foot and mouth disease tests were today being carried out on slaughtered sheep at a Todmorden farm after ministry vets ordered their destruction.

Two hundred and twenty sheep were culled at Croft Barn, Lumbutts, after Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food officers were called in when the animals showed symptoms of the deadly disease.

A ministry spokesman said vets found lesions in the mouths of some sheep and ordered the slaughter of the stock as a precautionary measure.

Samples have been taken by MAFF and tests are being carried out before a decision is taken regarding action on contagious premises.

The spokesman said test results would be known today and it is not known where the possible outbreak came from.

No decision has yet been taken as to whether livestock on adjoining farms, on the Halifax side of Todmorden, will need to be culled.

The ministry spokesman said if foot and mouth were to be confirmed the culled sheep would be burned.

If not, they would be buried.

Samples were taken and tests are being carried out before a decision is taken. If confirmed, it wil be the 18th foot and mouth case in Yorkshire and the fourth in the West Yorkshire area.

A spokesman for Calderdale Council said that in the meantime, as a precaution, it was treating the area as infected.

No licences for the movement of animals will be issued until further notice.

The council also repeated advice that visitors to the area should:

Obey all keep out and road closed signs and not go on closed footpaths and bridleways.

Not go near pigs, sheep, cows, goats or deer. Do not handle them to leave waste food around.

Not go on land which is known to be used by those animals.

Visitors to the countryside can still use public roads but are urged that if they are walking dogs they should be kept on a short lead.