A RURAL darts league has become the latest victim of the crisis, with players forced to call off matches for fear of spreading the disease.

Players, many of them farmers, have already postponed a handful of matches in the Barnard Castle and District Darts League, County Durham.

The latest match to be affected was due to take place last night, between Langdon Beck and the Kings Head Inn.

The postponements mean the league may have to run until the summer, or when players are happy that the disease has been fully contained.

Gary Hutchinson, league secretary, said: "We met last week to discuss the situation and we felt that it was very much up to the players themselves, many of whom are farmers who are affected by this crisis."

The league includes teams from Smallways, Barnard Castle, Eggleston and Cockfield, and some players live near infected areas in Weardale.

The league committee will meet again in the next few weeks to discuss the situation