THERE were again no reported new cases in the Settle-Skipton-Clitheroe area overnight, giving the area a clear run of a week since the last three outbreaks in Linton, near Grassington.

However, it is still too early to celebrate: a new outbreak in a so-called "clear" area in Wensleydale was causing alarm. The only other case in the UK was is Powys, Wales.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tony Blair blamed farmers and farm vehicles for much of the spread of the disease and urged everyone involved to adhere to strict "bio-protection" measures - i.e., extra careful disinfecting of clothing and vehicles like milk tankers which make visits to several farms each day.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he also said that there had not been one proven case of ramblers or other countryside visitors spreading the disease - a remark not likely to please farmers but which will delight the Ramblers' Association and other pressure groups who are demanding that hundreds of miles of closed footpaths be re-opened to public use.

But the Prime Minister appeared to duck one key question. Asked by retiring Tory leader William Hague to hold a public - as opposed to internal - enquiry into the handling of the foot and mouth crisis, he said that decision had yet to be made.