THE farmer at the centre of the latest diagnosed case of foot-and-mouth has expressed his disbelief that his cattle are infected.

Michael Walker, of Picton Grange Farm, Picton, near Yarm, Teesside, was told yesterday that his livestock had contracted the disease.

A Ministry of Agriculture (Maff) investigation is under way to identify the source, but Mr Walker said he has taken all the precautions laid down by government officials since the crisis began.

Speaking from his farm, he said: "We have disinfected and stayed put to stop the spread of the disease, but we have still got it.

"I have no idea how this could have happened."

A Maff vet found the infection among cattle at the farm, and all Mr Walker's livestock will now be destroyed.

This is the first case of the disease in Picton, which is made up mostly of farms.

Neighbouring farms were under observation last night following the news that foot-and-mouth had reached the area.