Tests for foot-and-mouth disease at a farm in North Yorkshire have proved negative, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced.

A ban on livestock movements in a five mile radius of the farm, at High Worsall, near Yarm, has been lifted, a spokesman said last night.

The tests came after a cow showed signs of what could be foot-and-mouth.

A Defra spokesman said extensive tests had taken place and had been completed yesterday.

No animals at the North Yorkshire "beef finishing unit" were culled as a result of concerns that the virus may have returned.

The spokesman said there had been a number of scares since the last case of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed on September 30, last year. All of them since proved to be false alarms.

Animal health minister Elliot Morley acknowledged the testing process and subsequent livestock movement bans were stressful but said it was better for the farming industry to be "safe than sorry".

He said: "This episode once again underlines that we can take no chances with this virulent disease.

"It is essential that farmers and vets continue to be vigilant and at all times report any signs of the disease to Defra.

"The people involved in this case have acted sensibly and properly."