Many rooms are left vacant as travellers cancel their plans and stay at home so not to risk bringing the disease into town.

"Our trade had gone down to half what it was five weeks ago," said Mr Hardy of Radbroke Barn B & B in Over Peover. "It is quite difficult to know what to do for the best in a situation like this and we've had little advice from the Government.

"The outbreaks are getting closer now and we are conscious that trade could get worse."

Business is not much better closer to town.

Flittogate Farm in Tabley has had just two customers since the outbreak and only has one booking for April so far.

"One of the regulars is now worried about going home to the south at weekends because the disease is more or less on his door step," said a spokesman for the hotel.

"All the paths are closed off and many tourist attractions are closed and I think that has put weekend visitors off."

Trade at Pickmere House in Pickmere has also been affected but owner Virginia Brown is more worried for local farmers than herself.

"It is bad news for us and we've had less visitors than usual," she said. "But it is much worse for the farmers and I feel sorry for them."

"But the spread of the disease is getting closer and closer now so who knows what the final outcome will be for us."

On the other hand, restaurants in town seem to be unaffected by the epidemic but a spokesman for David's Place in King Street said that further outbreaks could cause problems for buying meat.