Instead they are giving advice over the phone to anyone who finds an injured animal.

Nicky Green, a volunteer at Lower Moss Wood Animal Sanctuary in Ollerton, said they could do nothing to help this week when two squirrels were hurt.

"It is a very sad time - like a war situation - but the victims here are animals," she said.

Warden Ray Jackson said he hoped they may be able to collect animals from local vets.

"We don't want to leave people in the lurch, and needless to say we are all totally depressed here at the moment," he said.

"But we have had to close as the responsible thing to do.

"We don't want to be the ones to spread foot-and-mouth."

All school bookings have had to be cancelled accounting for losses of £1,000 a month, but unlike farmers the hospital will not receive compensation

It comes as a massive blow to the centre which takes in more than 800 animals a year and with them many visitors with potential donations.

The hospital is now raising funds to secure its future.

Lower Moss Wood features on BBC1's Animal Hospital tomorrow (Thursday) night.