THERE has been a noticeable increase in the number of farmers ringing the NFU Call First line this week.

Divisional manager, operations, Steve Smith said it allowed farmers to call for advice 'within the NFU family'.

He said trained staff had been briefed at a very early stage to cope with all the implications of the current crisis. This could range from queries about disinfection to legal requirements.

'We also have staff trained in counselling because we do get people that are very distraught about the whole thing. The state of the farm industry is such that this is not just this crisis. But crises like this mean more people want to talk about it,' said Mr Smith.

'The problem isn't solved by us but we can help in many ways. There are things we cannot do anything about — but if someone calls they will be listened to. If you have someone to talk to it can make life more bearable.'

l Roadford, Meldon and Fernworthy reservoirs are closed along with other reservoirs in Devon, Cornwall and west Somerset.

l Chairman of the Lamerton Fox Hounds, Mike Bickell said there would be no hunt meets until further notice. However he said they had been granted a government licence to collect fallen stock, although restrictions stated they can only collect from one farm at a time.

Mr Bickell, a farmer from Lifton, described the foot and mouth outbreak as 'the worse case scenario I have come across'.

'It is the not knowing that is the problem. We don't know where the exclusion zone is. We don't know what compensation we will get. The people that have foot and mouth will be compensated but those farming in exclusion zones don't know what compensation we will get if any,' he said.

'Cash flow has stopped. The bills are expected to be paid but no money is coming in. You cannot plan your future.'

Foot and mouth restrictions are causing logistical difficulties for farmers like Mr Bickell who have sheep away from the home farm on winter keeps.

'I have 150 sheep away from where they should be for the lambing. They are in places that don't have facilities that you have at home farm.'

Meanwhile, to help 'maintain some sanity' in the midst of such difficult times Mr Bickell is organising his latest and longest annual charity pony ride.

'In August I plan to ride from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for Riding for the Disabled, Cancer Research Campaign and the Meningitis Trust,' he said.

l Bookings are down at the Castle Inn, Lydford. A spokesperson said rooms had been cancelled due to the agricultural crisis. Also there had been fewer customers using the restaurant facilities.

l Clare White, manager at Eastlake Farm Riding Stables in Belstone, said: 'Obviously for us we are talking quite a loss of income, specially as it's coming towards the busier season.' But she accepted the advice as a safety precaution.

l Tavistock Town Council works staff chained up pedestrian gateways onto Whitchurch Down yesterday (Wednesday) and erected new red signs warning people to stay off the Downs.

l Methodist minister the Rev Jeff Moles is holding a prayer service at Tavistock Methodist Church tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm. The church is also open between 10am and noon every day for private prayer.

l Sue Turner of White Tor Stables at Peter Tavy said the situation was 'horrendous' and the last thing farmers needed.

'It's affected us now almost totally, our business has nose-dived.

'We can't get anybody out because basically we're about trail riding. We have an outdoor school if people want a lesson but that's it,' she said.

She said she has had to put off residential riders booked in for holidays too.

l Tavistock and Yelverton Golf Clubs are closed for play and practice until further notice — warning signs have been erected and scheduled competitions cancelled.

Mike O'Dowd, secretary of the Tavistock club, said: 'In the spirit of co-operation at this time, we have closed the course.

'Members are very supportive of the cancellation — we have members who are local farmers and we want to be seen to be supporting them.'

l Sharon Metters of the Plume of Feathers in Princetown said: 'It's just like a ghost town here.

'Normally on a Tuesday morning we have three or four coaches but they've cancelled, the Navy didn't come, the Rangers are out putting up notices. 'The phone hasn't stopped ringing with cancellations ever since Sunday.'

l Derek Evans of Boots in Tavistock said he has stocks of Formaldehyde which, used diluted, conforms to MAFF guidelines as an appropriate disinfectant to be used as a preventive measure.

'I've got some at the moment, more will be here on Thursday and I can place orders every couple of hours if necessary,' he said.

l Abigail Underhill of Tavistock Trout Fishery said the lakes were open to fishermen but straw and disinfectant was laid down and a bootwash has been provided.

The Environment Agency is advising fishermen to be responsible. Dr David Clarke, head of fisheries, said: 'If they are in any doubt, we would urge fishermen not to venture into the countryside during this outbreak on a voluntary basis.'

l The Tavistock group of the Ramblers' Association has suspended its walks programme. Latest information on 01822 820288.

l A cross country event held by Tavistock College on Whitchurch Down next week has been postponed.