FARMS across West Devon were forced to adopt a siege mentality this week with the devastating news that foot and mouth disease had been confirmed in the area.

Barriers were hastily erected at farm entrances warning people to keep out. Postal, newspaper and grocery deliveries were made at specially arranged drop-off points in an attempt to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

The drastic action was prompted by the discovery of foot and mouth at Burdon Farm at Highampton, between Hatherleigh and Holsworthy. Further outbreaks were confirmed at Hatherleigh and Hollacombe, near Holsworthy.

Livestock dealer Willie Cleave, of Burdon Grange, had unwittingly bought infected sheep at a Cumbrian market — they had originally come from a farm in Northumberland where the first cases of foot and mouth were identified.

The confirmation sparked a military-style operation by Ministry of Agriculture officials and the police. Any farm where the disease was suspected was sealed off while tests were carried out.

As the Times went to press yesterday (Wednesday) MAFF said results were still awaited on two suspected cases in

Chillaton and Lewdown. The suspect case in Chillaton is not linked to Mr Cleave at present, but the one at Lewdown has a vehicle tracing connection to the Highampton farmer.

Devon National Farmers' Union vice-chairman John Dawe, of Bere Ferrers, warned that all of the 40,000 sheep and 5,000 cattle on Dartmoor could have to be slaughtered if the outbreak was not contained in the next few days.

Even farm dogs and cats could have to be destroyed. The moor could be left 'as an overgrown common, beginning to be useless for anything,' he said.

Sheep farmers might be able to start again, buying ewes on their compensation money and rearing them for sale in September 2002. 'But they would be living on a knife-edge,' he said.

Asked to estimate the chances of avoiding a mass slaughter, he said: 'We will be very lucky to escape.'

After the first case of the disease was confirmed in Devon, MAFF put all farmland on Dartmoor under restrictions.

A spokesman said it was unlikely that any Dartmoor roads would be closed, but the authority was telling people driving across the moor not to leave their cars.