A farmer on the Essex-Suffolk border has spoken of the discovery of bluetongue disease in his cattle.

Last week, Defra confirmed there were now 25 cases of the disease in the east of England, mainly clustered around Ipswich, with the latest discovered near to Essex.

Jim Lawrence has 18 Highland cattle on his family farm in Stoke-by-Nayland.

The 46-year-old owner and manager of Jim Lawrence Ironworks, said: "One of our cattle was off-colour, standing on her own and she looked a bit sad.

"I would never have rung the ministry up if it hadn't been for all the publicity - normally if a cow is a bit off-colour you leave them for a bit and monitor them.

"I called a vet, though, and the ministry, and they confirmed it was bluetongue.

"She is on her own now in a little paddock and we are nursing her. She finds it difficult to walk, because bluetongue affects the animal's feet, and so she is lame.

"I just feel sorry for her really."

Bluetongue is not passed between animals but is spread by midges, making it very difficult to contain.

Restrictions preventing movement of livestock out of the control and protection zones are expected until next summer 2008.

Mr Lawrence, who lives on a farm in Scotland Street, acknowledged he is fortunate that he does not rely on his animals to survive.

"It is only a small farm of about 100 acres. It is not a commercial farm at all - it has been in the family for 40 years, since my father bought it in 1967.

"Our cattle aren't our livelihood, they are more like pets in a way."