FEARS of foot and mouth disease in Buckinghamshire were quashed this week after tests on a sheep proved negative.

Wycombe District Council announced the scare on Wednesday after a sheep grazing on Sands Bank, High Wycombe, was found with mouth lesions and a high temperature.

The sheep, part of a National Trust flock on the Sands Nature Reserve, was tested by experts from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, which prohibited the movement of the sheep.

But the restrictions were lifted when tests on the animal for foot and mouth gave a negative result.

Many parts of the country are still gripped by the virus and many farms and visitor attractions are having difficulties.

Odds Farm Park in Wooburn Green has reopened after suffering financially from its recent closure as a precaution against foot and mouth.

The National Trust has decided to help boost the rural economy by reopening some of its sites, including those of Cliveden, Princes Risborough Manor House, West Wycombe village and West Wycombe Hill.

The conservation charity has, however, issued guidelines which include: livestock and visitors to be kept apart and a MAFF-approved disinfectant regime be applied.

A website to keep people up to date on foot and mouth has been launched by the Regional Development Agency for the South East and can be found at www.seeda.co.uk.