NEW guidelines have been introduced to control substances used on foot-and-mouth pyres.

Tyres were used on one fire at Thornton Rust, Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, after an outbreak last month, prompting complaints from people with homes nearby.

But a meeting of Richmondshire District Council's foot-and-mouth working group last night was assured environmental health officers are informed in advance of pyres in infected areas - and they have a say on the materials used.

Maff and the Environment Agency recommend coal and timber.

Read more about Foot-and-Mouth here.