A SLAUGHTERMAN in North Cumbria is awaiting the results of medical tests today to see if he has contracted foot and mouth after working on the mass cull of foot and mouth livestock.

The national media was making much of the possibility - and the tourist industry awaits the results with some trepidation - but fact remains that, should the tests prove positive, the victim is likely to suffer only minor symptoms: a 'flu like fever and blisters in the mouth which are likely to subside in a week.

This was believed to be only the second case of human foot and mouth ever reported - the first was during the 1967 outbreak - but a Welshman rang the BBC Radio Four Today programme to say he had contracted it in 1975.

"My doctor did not show any particularly anxiety and it cleared up in about a week," he told the programme.

The interest in this human case had tended to obscure the most critical development, which is that the number of new outbreaks continues to fall: on Monday, only 13 were reported.

This trend is being watched with cautious optimism by farmers and rural business people, for it could mean that the battle against the disease may now be entering its final stages at a highly critical time.

If the trend continues, huge numbers or cattle still being kept in winter sheds will be allowed out to grass - and a highly controversial vaccination programme will be avoided.

• Meanwhile, the Yorkshire branch of the Country Land and Business Association has dug deep into its reserves to give £50,000 to two major charities which have already paid out £1 million to alleviate rural poverty during the crisis.

They are the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and the Arthur Rank Centre Addington Fund. Yorkshire CLA director Dorothy Fairburn commented:

"Many of our members are not afflicted by foot and mouth but we believe they would like the association to raid its reserves to support those who are in genuine distress and difficulty over something which they have no control."

Anyone wishing to contribute to the CLA fund can give money at any branch of Barclays Bank, quoting sort code 20-60-05 and account No 70102962.

• In another development, the Isle of Man TT races, one of the world's most spectacular motor cycling events, may be cancelled because of the outbreak. The races attract between 40,000 and 45,000 spectators and cancellations would be a major loss to the tiny island's economy.