THE end of the foot-and-mouth crisis could be in sight for the two counties, following the news that no new cases have been confirmed this week.

Farmers in Worcestershire say they can start looking forward after it emerged that the county had been free from the disease for eight days.

There have been no new confirmed infections in Herefordshire since last Friday.

It means that the light is at the end of the tunnel, according to Worcestershire NFU chairman Richard Jordan.

"You're always looking for the future, so we have to be hopeful of the present news," said Mr Jordan, who farms in Inkberrow.

"We don't want any complacency setting in. It could easily break down again and backfire.

"If we're in the same situation next week, then things will be a lot better."

The Ministry of Agriculture agreed that, while the news was "promising", farmers must remain on guard.

"We can't exaggerate the importance of remaining vigilant," said a MAFF spokesman.

"As well as the reduction in new cases, the whole operation has been able to catch up on itself.

"We're able to meet our 24-hour and 48-hour targets with the culling and disposal of animals on contiguous premises, which is one of the most important aspects of controlling the disease.

"We don't want to sound complacent, and we're taking each day as it comes. But, the longer this goes on, the better it looks."

However, he added a word of caution.

"We must remember that, in 1967, there was a second wave and we don't want to get into that situation again."

Other good news for farmers is that those who are not under a Form D notice will be able to apply for licences to move their animals for slaughter from Monday.