An open farm was today (Friday) planning to cull 875 of its 1,000 animals after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth.

Sheep at Marsh Farm in South Woodham Ferrers, which is visited by thousands of schoolchildren every year, showed signs of the disease two days ago.

Stringent checks on premises within a three-kilometre radius of the farm are also being carried out by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Maff).

Horses, chickens, ducks, and domestic animals at the open farm will be spared because they are not regarded as posing a risk to other livestock.

Marsh Farm is one of Essex County Council's country parks and a spokesman said: "It's an extremely popular facility. We are all devastated by this news."

Meanwhile Essex Wildlife Trust has decided to keep Fingringhoe Wick in Colchester shut for a further two weeks, and will review the situation again in the next few days.

Dog owners are being warned to clear up after their pets as levels of dog mess increase in Braintree.

Braintree Council dog warden Andrew Potter said that as people are being warned away from walking their dogs in the country due to the foot-and-mouth crisis, more are exercising their pets in towns. This is leading to an increase in dog fouling.

Mr Potter warned owners they are required to clear up after their pets by law. People caught not clearing up after their dog face a fine.

Martin and Son in Black Notley, near Braintree, and Humphreys and Sons in Fairstead are two abattoirs approved to reopen in a bid to keep meat stocks full.

A spokesman for Martin and Son said: "We are a small slaughterhouse and only deal with about 20 animals a week, but we are glad to be back open."

He added: "We are asking anyone who comes here to disinfect themselves, whether they come by car, lorry or on foot. No-one gets in without being disinfected."

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