THE RSPCA fears that thousands of hill sheep could die of starvation this autumn, if the foot-and-mouth epidemic continues to tighten its grip on the region.

Restrictions imposed on the movement of animals during the outbreak have meant that food stocks have run low, and land has been over-grazed.

If the restrictions stay in place during the coming months, the RSPCA believes the sheep will suffer.

With no way of moving sheep to market, farmers would have to leave their older ewes to be exposed to an extra winter, and lambs, traditionally sold at autumn sales, would stay on the hills.

Feed is already in short supply, after farmers were forced to give extra feed this year to sheep trapped because of the restrictions.

To try to combat the problem, the RSPCA has written to the Government calling for hill sheep to receive particular attention in the proposed forthcoming review of British agriculture.

Dr Martin Potter, head of the RSPCA's farm animals department, said: "It is absolutely essential that a review of livestock farming is carried out at the earliest opportunity, and animal welfare is given the high priority it deserves.

"We are facing a grave situation in this country with regard to the well-being of hill sheep.

"There is no doubt that many thousands of animals could be in danger this autumn and winter, and we are pressing the government to give urgent attention to this issue before it is too late."

At the RSPCA's recent annual meeting, the society discussed the implications that modern farming methods and supermarkets' buying power have had on animals throughout areas affected by foot-and-mouth.

Members voted in favour of a review by the Government of all the animal welfare implications of the modern food production industry.

They also voted in favour of a motion calling on the Government to encourage UK supermarkets to buy smaller hill lambs.

Prior to the foot-and-mouth outbreak, many of these animals were transported live to the continent, where there is a greater market for light lambs, but UK retailers prefer to buy larger animals.