FOOT and mouth outbreaks ring the Malvern Hills this week, with confirmed new cases at Whitbourne near Bromyard, at Hindlip near Worcester, and at Tewkesbury.

And Blackway Farm, at Eggleton, near Ledbury, where there are 240 sheep, was declared a "dangerous contact" farm on Wednesday.

More than 700 sheep and cattle at Moor Hall Farm, Whitbourne, were slaughtered and burned this week after infection was confirmed.

The outbreak at Cummins Farm, Hindlip, led to the slaughter of 2,000 sheep and threatens more than 100 cattle at nearby Hindlip College, part of a 33-year breeding programme.

On Tuesday, an outbreak at Mitton Lodge, Bredon Road, Tewkesbury, home to 2,500 sheep, was confirmed.

Dangerous contact farms were confirmed yesterday at Uckinghall Meadow, Ripple, where 120 sheep are affected, and Ministry Fuel Dumps, Ripple (490 sheep).

Yesterday, the government's chief scientific advisor, Professor David King, said the current slaughtering policy was "beginning to bite".

But he warned that any relaxation of the policy would lead to a devastating resurgence.

Andrew Tector, environmental health chief for Herefordshire, said: "In this county, the outbreaks have been occurring in clusters and it's still very prevalent in the south but it does seem to be contained in these areas."

He praised the public for obeying emergency regulations which have closed footpaths and common land across the county.

While the farming sector suffers, there are fears also for tourism.

"It is essential to continue to promote the county," said Herefordshire Council tourism spokesman Kate Tudge, "We need to get the message over that Herefordshire is open for business, visitors and residents can still enjoy our beautiful countryside, visit attractions, market towns, delightful black and white villages.

"After weeks of inactivity, last weekend saw a flurry of visitors to Herefordshire enjoying the spring sunshine and hopefully this trend will continue."