FEARS that Cheshire could be hit by an epidemic similar to that of 1967 were exacerbated this week following the confirmed outbreak in Little Leigh.

On Tuesday, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also announced there had been another outbreak in Astbury, Congleton.

And MAFF has now admitted that all farms within a three mile radius of the two outbreaks may be forced to have their animals destroyed whether they have foot and mouth disease or not.

The disease will cost Little Leigh beef farmer Malcolm Evans thousands of pounds, but the implications for farmers in Northwich and the surrounding areas could be devastating.

A spokesman for the National Farmers' Union in the North West said that they believed a pre-emptive cull, which began in Cumbria this week, would be a terrifying prospect.

"We are relying on risk assessments by MAFF to tell us whether they believe it may be necessary," he said. "But it is something that is being seriously considered."

A pre-emptive cull would inevitably be devastating for the local farming community.

But the impact on tourism in the Vale Royal area has already hit hard.

Although the borough is not seen as one of the main tourist places in the UK, tourism in the area currently accounts for more than £90 million a year in income and is also the largest employer, providing jobs for nearly 3,100 people.

And despite the area's first outbreak of foot and mouth only being confirmed at the weekend, local businesses, hotels, and tourist attractions have already suffered dramatically since the national crisis began four weeks ago, including The Cheshire Show, which was cancelled on Monday night.

This week, Vale Royal Borough Council also confirmed that the Northwich on Water Festival, which was scheduled for May 6 at the Anderton Boat Lift, has been postponed until further notice.

Mike Cooksley, chairman of the Vale Royal of England Tourist Association, said tourism-related businesses had been so badly affected by the current crisis already, that some will be forced to lay off staff within the next month if the situation continues - and others are even facing immediate closure, in some cases because they feel it is their moral duty but also because they have no feasible alternative.

Two major hotels in the area, for example, have seen profits dip by 80 per cent and 50 per cent over the past month, and many smaller places have experienced no trade whatsoever.

"We are right in the heart of dairy farming and the impact of foot and mouth is going to mean the demise of a lot of jobs," said Mr Cooksley.

"It's getting to the stage where it's becoming knife-edge time for some businesses, with many tipping over the edge.

"And if we don't address this problem now, it could be a Doomsday scenario for these people."

Mr Cooksley has already written to MP Michael Meacher, minister for the environment, in a bid to get some immediate financial help for tourism businesses.

The Tourist Association is also hoping to organise a meeting with local MPs, MAFF and other representatives to see what can be done to ease the possiblity of financial ruin for the industry.

Vale Royal Borough Council has already closed a number of leisure and recreational facilities which are close to livestock farms, and staff undertaking essential visits to these sites are being forced to follow strict disinfection procedures.

Open countryside space at Marshall's Arm Nature Reserve in Hartford, Rilshaw Meadows, Road One Pond and Ways Green in Winsford, Flaxmere Moss in Delamere, Barnton Tunnel Top and Whitegate Way, all remain closed to the public.

And people are again being urged to stay away from farms and areas which have closed due to foot and mouth.

On Sunday night crowds gathered at Desley Heath Farm in Little Leigh and Mr Evans believes this behaviour could be responsible for the spread.

He said: "People came to look and others kept driving past. It is disgusting.

"They could not see anything, but simply by being so close they could pick up the disease and move it on."

Cheshire County Council leader Derek Bateman added: "It is unbelievable that anyone should choose to ignore the warnings."

For local information and advice about foot and mouth disease ring the borough council on 01606 867858, or for enquiries outside office hours ring freephone 0800 435199 and follow the instructions.