MOORLAND villagers are living in fear of the foot-and-mouth virus leap-frogging from valley to valley.

In the wake of two outbreaks around Westerdale, there are now real concerns that the landscape could be changed forever if moor flocks of sheep disappear.

Parish councillors in Danby held an emergency meeting on Monday to debate the situation.

Chairman Coun Herbert Tindall said the feeling in the area was one of alarm.

Just weeks ago, the council launched an attack on the North York Moors national park for not doing enough to halt spread of the disease, mainly through lack of disinfectant pads.

At the time, the Esk Valley was free of foot-and-mouth and Coun Tindall said the outbreak had taken everyone by surprise.

National park chief executive Mr Andy Wilson was at Monday's meeting, at which it was agreed to post "Keep out" signs on some road ends.

Councillors have also been in touch with farmers hit by the culling which has followed the outbreaks.

"We have expressed our sympathy and support as a way of connecting these people back into the community," said Coun Tindall.

"What is really worrying us is that there have been one or two more flocks taken out and we are concerned about the moor sheep. They are hefted sheep which spend most of their time on a given area of land they are used to."

Coun Tindall said the flocks keep the moors in good condition, keeping down softwoods which could smother the heather.

At the meeting, Mr Wilson assured members that, contrary to some reports, no footpaths were being re-opened in this part of the national park.

Referring to the council's earlier criticism, he said disinfectant action had been stepped up.

"We feel the park is doing as much as it can at the moment," said Coun Tindall. "But the feeling here is one of alarm. The virus could quite easily jump to other valleys. We don't know how it got here.

"We feel the issue was swept aside during the election campaign and this has taken us by surprise. We could end up with no cattle or anything and how do we come back from a situation such as that?"

More emergency meetings will be called if necessary.

He urged anyone in the community to get in touch with members if they needed to discuss problems.

l Foot-and-mouth on the moors: page 18.