FARMERS were warned to brace themselves for the worst last night as foot-and-mouth struck in a vast rural part of the region.

The first case of the disease in the Vale of York was confirmed at Kirby Knowle, near Thirsk, sparking fears that the epidemic could further tighten its grip on the north's stricken agricultural industry.

More than 2,000 animals are to be slaughtered at Manor Farm, a 1,000-acre estate. There were 188 cattle and 1,933 sheep on the farm.

The total number of cases in North Yorkshire rose to 96 last night, with confirmation of an outbreak at Howesyke Farm, in Bishopdale, where livestock had already been slaughtered on suspicion of having the disease.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh called on the Government and councils to re-think the opening of footpaths

"The anxieties and anguish of local farmers have been justified. This is the news that we have all been dreading," she said.

"It is vital, now more than ever, for our local farming communities that we take every possible precaution to prevent the virus spreading across the entire constituency."

Meanwhile, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said tests had revealed that cancer-causing chemicals given off by foot-and-mouth pyres did not appear to have found their way into the food chain.

It said tests were complete on more than a third of about 180 samples taken from meat, dairy products, eggs, crops and soil near to where slaughtered animals were burned.

The FSA said that results so far gave a "generally reassuring picture" at this stage that dioxins released by the pyres were unlikely to pose any long-term problems to human health.

Full results are expected at the end of July.