GIPSIES and their horses should be moved from the countryside during the foot-and-mouth crisis, says a Worcestershire farmer.

Richard Gomm, who farms at Rushwick, says that horses belonging to gipsies near his land are just as likely to spread the virus as any other movement.

They have recently moved from Hallow onto land near the Rushwick-Worcester bypass roundabout.

"A herd of cattle was slaughtered in Hallow because of dangerous contact. What is there to say that these horses couldn't have picked up the virus and brought it here?" said Mr Gomm, who also runs a newsagents.

"The animals themselves, or the people, should be put up where they're not going to be in harms way.

"They're travelling around at will and no one's doing a thing about it.

"If they were the same as us they'd be banned.

Mr Gomm, who has 42 cattle and 46 sheep, including lambs, said that they are "decimating" wherever they settle and land next to his farm could be their next site.

"If they do move there'll be fireworks," he said.

"I've approached them and they've said it's not their problem.

"The farmers are getting hammered through not taking precautions and they're moving from one place to another.

"I'm taking all the precautions I can, what more can I do?"