FOOT-AND-MOUTH CRISIS: We're here with the beer!

Chaddesley Corbett's Bluebell Woods are a favourite with walkers and ramblers but, since foot-and-mouth was confirmed at four surrounding farms, visitors have been staying away.

The news spells disaster for pubs in the village, which rely heavily on passing trade from ramblers and walkers.

The closure of the local school for two days and the surrounding publicity made the situation even worse.

Hilary Boden, of the Talbot, warned that trade was down by 30 per cent and said staff rotas had to be cut back.

The Fox landlord James Wood said he had seen a "dramatic" difference in business since the outbreak.

An air of depression hangs over the village as businesses desperately try to put across the message that Chaddesley Corbett is very much open.

"We've had a number of people ringing to ask if the roads to the village are still open. We're trying to get the message across that it's only the footpaths that are closed," said Mrs Boden.

"A lot of our trade comes from ramblers and walkers and we're not expecting to have much business from them because the woods are closed."

She had not had any contact from anyone in authority to say when the footpaths would be reopening.

"It's the not knowing which is worse," she said.

"Customs & Excise have asked us if we wanted to defer our VAT payment, but it still has to be paid at the end of the day, so all the money we make is going towards bills.

"We're effectively working for nothing.

"Because we're a country pub, we have local staff and, if we start laying them off they will find other jobs. When business does pick up, we won't have the staff."

Mr Wood agreed. "We respect the need to have the footpaths closed for the farmers' sake but we need to get the message across that businesses are still open here.

"There are lovely drives and other things for people to do.

"I've seen a dramatic difference in business like everyone else and, even though we're suffering, a lot of staff are from farming families that have been hit badly.

"They rely heavily on their wages, so we don't want to lay people off."

Be alert: Warning on floods

FARMERS unable to move their livestock due to movement restrictions are being told to apply early for a licence if fields are close to rivers.

A flood watch is being kept on the Evesham to Tewkesbury stretch of the River Avon and the Environment Agency is advising farmers to be vigilant and to plan ahead in case livestock needs to be relocated.

Animals within flood plains should be moved to higher ground where possible.

But, because Worcestershire is a foot-and-mouth infected county, there are strict movement restrictions in place.

Farmers should call MAFF if they think they may have to move their livestock, and not wait until the river starts to flood.

"Farmers can contact MAFF and a vet will visit," said a MAFF spokeswoman.

"They will then be able to issue a licence to move livestock if it's appropriate."

The helpline number is 0845 933 5577.

Police face tricky time with calls

POLICE response calls to rural communities could be affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Only a life-or-death emergency would take precedence over normal disinfection procedures, said Insp Neville Sheldrick.

He said the police had to obey tight restrictions about where they could and could not go.

"That's going to affect our response, particularly where there are livestock near affected areas," he said, speaking to members of Malvern police community consultative group.

"We may get some calls where we could normally attend, but we won't attend in these circumstances.

"But if the emergency services need to be there, we'll go."

Appealing to members of the public to be vigilant, Insp Sheldrick urged people not to visit any parts of the countryside where they might spread contamination.