THERE were three new outbreaks of foot and mouth overnight scattered across the North: one in Cumbria and two widely separated in North Yorkshire at Bishopdale, Leyburn, and Thirsk.

The latest outbreak on the North York Moors is causing growing concern and farmers are being urged to boycott a visit to Goathland - where the TV series Heartbeat is filmed - by Countryside Minister Elliot Morley.

However, there have now been just two cases in the past fortnight in the Settle-Skipton-Clitheroe "rectangle" - and none since last weekend.