A RAFT of emergency measures has been announced by Durham County Council to cut any risk of a further spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Trading standards officers are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to monitor the situation.

All schools in the county remain open until further notice, and all school transport will operate as normal, although vehicles will not leave roads to travel down farm tracks.

Parents of pupils living off metalled roads should disinfect their children's footwear before setting off for school.

Visits planned by school parties to field study centres, including Earl's Orchard, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, and to the Middleton Centre, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, are suspended.

All countryside parks and picnic areas throughout the county are closed, and public rights of way will follow suit, once necessary emergency legislation has been passed.

Mobile library visits to farms and other off-road properties are suspended, while archaeological work involving county council staff has been put on hold.

Motorists are warned the normal level of snow clearing and road-gritting activities could be reduced as the availability of farm tractors used by the council may be affected.

County council leader Don Robson said the situation is being kept under constant review.

"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," said Councillor Robson.