FARMERS' worst nightmare - foot and mouth disease - hit the Monmouth area on Monday with a confirmed case at Llancloudy. Restrictions now apply to the town and outlying areas.

Farmer Kevin Feakins was said to be devastated by the news that the disease had been confirmed at his farm. In an interview he said that it was heartbreaking to have to put down livestock that he had been feeding the previous day.

He first became aware of the problem when some of the animals became lame and appeared unwell. All 270 cattle and 600 sheep on the farm were due to be slaughtered on Tuesday.

Sgt Mike Gray of Monmouth Police said: "The confirmed foot and mouth outbreak at Llancloudy has resulted in a 10 km radius control zone around the outbreak. This means that not only is the countrywide ban on livestock movements affecting the area but within the 10 km area movements of vehicles need to be minimised and all persons and vehicles moving on and off agricultural holdings should be disinfected with approved disinfectant.

"Any inquiries should go to foot and mouth disease helpline 0845 0504 4141.

"The area covered by the control zone includes Monmouth town and outlying areas including Jingle Street, Talycoed, Cross Ash, Skenfrith, Newcastle and St Maughans.

"Any member of the public who believes they have witnessed the movement of livestock on the roads should contact Monmouth Police."

The Raglan abattoir run by Neil James is closed until further notice.

Ethel James, of the family butchery firm of N S James, said: "We don't know how long we will be closed for, it depends on how many new cases there are. We'll just have to wait until we hear from the Ministry, there's nothing else we can do."

Mrs James said they had a supply of red meat for their customers as they had killed last week before the ban on the movement of animals was imposed.

Gwent Wildlife Trust have taken the precaution of closing all their nature reserves to their members and the general public. The Trust feel it is in the best interests of their neighbours to do as much as they can to control the spread.

The Trust also have to cancel contractors' work on the reserves which will mean delays to some vital projects. Whilst, as the rest of the country, the Trust hope for a speedy resolution to this problem, their nature reserves will remain closed until further notice.

Monmouthshire Hunt suspended meetings and the Lower Wye Ramblers called off their programme of walks. The Country Land and Business Association and National Trust both appealed to people to stay out of the countryside until the outbreak is over.

The Forest of Dean and Wye Valley woodlands were within the affected area and have been closed for public access. The area stretches from Abergavenny to Hereford, Ross-on-Wye across almost to Gloucester and south to Chepstow taking in many other small areas of woodland on the borders of England and Wales.

Members of the public are being asked not to walk, cycle or ride their horses in the area and all forest events have been cancelled for a month.

Monmouth MP Huw Edwards said: "This crisis has come at a very difficult time for the farming community, but they recognise it is essential to impose controls on the movement of livestock so that the disease is eliminated as soon as possible. The (Agriculture) Minister however stated in the House of Commons that there could be some tightly controlled movement of livestock for slaughter. This will be important to ensure that cattle approaching 30 months can be slaughtered.

"It is vital that the public do not go onto farms at present and there should be more controls on ramblers in the countryside. There can be no right to roam in areas which could become infected by foot and mouth."

Monmouth AM David Davies urged local people not to panic as the outbreak threatened Monmouthshire.

"The most important thing is for the public not to panic but to respect calls to stay away from the countryside, wherever possible, to help contain the disease. The news that there is a case of foot and mouth on a farm just across the border is terrible news for the county."

Mr Roy Nicholas, Clerk of Llantilio Crossenny and Llangattock - vibon - Avel Community Councils, has written to advise councillors that Dr M S Matharu has had discussions with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and Laing Utilities to check that they are fully alive to the precautions necessary on their part.

They would not be importing machinery or bringing in men from parts of the country where foot and mouth disease was suspected, said Mr Nicholas.

There was a national shortage of disinfectant for farmers seeking to set up barriers to the disease.

A decision has been made by the Countryside Alliance to postpone the Countryside March which was due to take place on March 18th but has now been deferred until early May.

NFU Cymru issued telephone numbers for farmers to get hold of advice. They are: NFU Call Centre 0870 8458458; Foot and mouth disease helpline 0845 0504141; BCMS Helpline 0845 050 1234; and Animal Health Office Llanishen 02920 325200.