TW0 new cases in the so called "Settle Rectangle" - one of them at Wharfe View Farm, Burnsall - sent rural voters to the general election polling stations with an ever increasing sense of bitterness.

Most country folk believe that the election should never have been called during such a national emergency and Mr Blair's decision to postpone it for a month from May, seemingly gambling that the disease would by then be under control, is widely regarded as a losing wager.

However, the effects of any country backlash at the polls will not be finally known until tomorrow afternoon as most rural constituencies do not complete their counts until then.

Another cause of anger was the filming at Skipton Auction Mart yesterday of a MAFF "advice" video showing farmers how to properly disinfect their vehicles and personal clothing - almost three and a half months after the first outbreak.

Comments from farmers included "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted" and "typical MAFF - too little, too late."

The second local outbreak yesterday, in the Trough of Bowland near Sawley, brings the total in the "rectangle" to 55.