A COMPANY has been forced to make employees wear disposable clothing in a bid to stop them spreading foot and mouth disease.

Animal feed provider Dugdale Nutrition, of Bellman Mill, Clitheroe, says it is facing a bleak future as the virus continues to grip the country and has taken the drastic action.

It delivers bulk and bagged animal feed to farms around the area as well as further into Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and West Yorkshire.

One of the firm's directors, Roger Dugdale, said. "It is a devastating time for the farmers at the moment."

"We are doing all we can to help the farmers by constantly disinfecting our vehicles both on and off farms and at the mill. We have supplied our driver's with disposable overalls which they wear to deliver feed and then leave on the farm to minimise the risk of spreading the virus."

Established originally in Whalley, the firm moved to Waterloo Road in Clitheroe, before transferring to a purpose-built manufacturing plant on the Salthill Industrial Estate almost 20 years ago.

Agricultural suppliers are also watching developments.

Gisburn's agricultural machinery dealer Lindley Pate Ltd said it had noticed a difference in sales since the outbreaks began and especially since the village's auction mart was closed to the public.

The company is still selling trailers and the building side is operational, but sales of animal husbandry products, domestic items and clothing in the shop area have reduced.

"People are either reluctant to leave their farms, or coming in just for essential items," said shop worker Bryn Hartley.

Farmers John Roberts, from Siddows Farm in the Henthorn Area of Clitheroe, says his family is "hanging in there".

"You just don't know how far it is going to spread. My farm is near Lancashire County Council's public tip which is plagued with seagulls which scavange. You don't know if they could spread the disease." he said.

"It's not just the farmers or the tourist trade, but other businesses linked to agriculture such as suppliers, contractors and hauliers whose livelihoods are in danger of being lost," added Mr Roberts.