MORE farms in North Yorkshire will be subject to stringent foot-and-mouth restrictions after a fresh outbreak of the disease.

Tough guidelines were imposed after another farm tested positive for the disease in the Penrith Spur area of Cumbria. Farms as far south as Carnforth, in Lancashire, and Ingleton, in North Yorkshire, will now have to adhere to strict restrictions ordering them to cleanse and disinfect all vehicles visiting or leaving their property.

Under the "blue box" restrictions, which came into effect at midnight, they will also have to implement several bio-security measures.

The latest outbreak was at Low Bank House Farm in the village of Barbon, where five compulsory cleansing and disinfection points have been set up. A further five mobile units are stationed in the area.

The village has been declared off-limits to members of the public.

More than 800 animals have been slaughtered at Low Bank House Farm and at three other premises identified as dangerous contacts.

Ray Anderson, regional operations director for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in Cumbria, said: "This is a very worrying development and we are determined to hit it hard and fast."

Blue box restrictions include cleansing and disinfection of all vehicles going to or from farms and special measures for milk tankers, feed lorries and machines moving forage and spreading slurry.

Sheep shearing and clipping will need specific licences and can only take place under veterinary supervision. Occupational licences are being revoked and Defra patrols will monitor the area to ensure bio-security measures are being enforced.

The total number of cases in Cumbria has risen to 891, with 2,026 cases Nationally.