THE outbreaks of foot-and-mouth in County Durham have had widespread effects.

Although all school transport - buses and taxis - will operate as normal, they will no longer travel down farm tracks.

And the county council says parents of pupils who live off metalled roads should ensure their children's footwear is disinfected before they join the public highway and travel to school.

Teachers living in similar circumstances have been given the same advice.

The county also said schools would remain open until further notice but visits to field study centres including Earl's Orchard in Richmond and Middleton centre in Middleton in Teesdale had been suspended.

Mobile libraries had stopped visiting farms and other properties off metalled highways and officials were studying how visits by home helps may be affected.

The authority has warned that even snow clearing and gritting could be affected where it is normally done by farm tractors.

Coun Don Robson, leader of the county council, is holding daily meetings with officers to assess further measures.

"In the meantime, the ease with which this disease spreads has been well publicised and there is clearly a need for people to exercise common sense and discretion," he said.