MORE popular country events have become victims of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The decision has been taken to call off Stokesley Show, in North Yorkshire, because of the threat of the disease being spread.

And in a separate move, County Durham's Sedgefield Show has been cancelled following a meeting of the show's committee on Thursday.

Show secretary Brian Woodward said they had decided on this action because of the uncertainties surrounding the epidemic.

Alan Weighall, secretary of Stokesley Show, which was due to be held on September 22, said: "It was a difficult decision to make and one which we made very reluctantly. We are very disappointed about it, but in the light of the current situation we really had no choice."

The show is one of the last in the local season and usually attracts a huge number of visitors, exhibitors and competitors

Read more about Foot-and-Mouth here.