FOOT and mouth spread to Cross Ash this week with a new case confirmed at the Sevenoaks family farm, Cross Ash Farm, in the heart of the community.
With two earlier confirmed cases of the disease at both Roan Oak and Brook House farms in the Grosmont area, the current government policy of slaughtering animals in neighbouring farms will mean that by the end of the week almost the whole area will be devoid of livestock - a terrible blow to the community.
Over the past week some of the neighbouring farms had been suspected of having the disease but veterinary investigations have revealed that the disease is not present.
Police Sergeant Mike Gray said: "We can expect some further road closures in the area over the next few days so as to minimise the spread of the disease. In addition, whilst the Ministry of Agriculture and the Trading Standards Department personnel deal with the disposal of carcasses road closures may have to be affected to ensure road safety."
As a consequence of the situation in the Cross Ash and Grosmont areas Cross Ash Primary School has been closed to pupils for a week.
The foot and mouth crisis has also led Off Centre Theatre to call off their junior production of Humpty Dumpty. It is hoped to stage it at a later date.