FOOT-and-mouth has put paid to Bromyard Gala, it emerged today.

Organisers of the popular Herefordshire countryside show and steam rally have apologised to the dozens of exhibitors and traders who planned to set up shop on Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8.

But they hope the thousands of visitors who flock year-on-year to the show will still support the football and rounders tournaments, quiz night and whist drive all planned for Gala week.

A mammoth car boot sale could also be staged later in the year.

"The Gala committee reluctantly came to the unanimous decision that the Gala would have to be cancelled this year due to the foot-and-mouth epidemic," a spokesman said.

"We felt this would be the responsible and sensitive course of action to take in view of all the issues involved, situated as we are in the middle of a mainly farming community."

The news came as a blow to new chairman Liz Huffer and her vice-chairman Ian Skyrm who had hoped for a bumper year.