VETS have re-emphasised the seriousness of the foot and mouth virus - despite claims the disease is no more harmful to pigs and sheep than a cold is to people.

Kim Simkins, of the Hampden Veterinary Hospital, refuted claims in The Times last week that 'foot-and-mouth is about as serious to animals or to people, as a bad cold'.

She said: "That is totally untrue.

"The symptoms are so severe that it's very painful. Blisters in the mouth can sometimes mean that the whole of the top of the animal's tongue comes off."

She added that that blisters around the animal's hoof can also result in the hoof dropping off.

Although she admitted the mortality rate was low, around five per cent, she expressed concern that the virus stays in the ground so long that any new animals introduced to a contaminated farm would become infected.

Karen Dyason, who runs an ostrich farm in Chesham, said that the foot and mouth outbreak has led to an increase in sales of ostrich steaks, burgers and sausages.

She added: "We have stopped taking our birds to the slaughterhouse as we want to try and help stop the spread of the disease, but people are ignoring warnings to stay out of the countryside which is absolutely ridiculous.

"We have got some birds there waiting to be slaughtered but we are not sending any more at the moment."

Buckinghamshire County Council and Thames Valley Police have re-iterated warnings for members of the public to stay off land that has been closed, warning that those who do not are liable to arrest.

County councillor Margaret Dewar (Con, Beaconsfield), cabinet member responsible for Community Services, said: "The measures which the county council have now put in place are both sensible and necessary. I urge all countryside visitors to do everything to assist us in our attempts to limit the spread of this disease throughout the country."

For information on areas closed off to the public call (01296) 383212