THE foot-and-mouth virus continued to affect farms in the Northallerton and Thirsk area this week with two more confirmed cases.

The disease was found in livestock at Kelmire Grange, Thirlby, on Wednesday and at Silton Grange, Nether Silton last Thursday.

Vets slaughtered 251 cattle at Nether Silton. Officers identified three contiguous sites and one dangerous contact, meaning a further 136 cattle and 490 sheep will be culled.

At Thirlby, 344 cattle were killed. A spokesman for Defra said contiguous and dangerous contact sites were still being determined.

A further case was also confirmed this week at Mill Lane farm near Lealholm, Whitby. These fresh outbreaks, along with three more in the Settle and Skipton rectangle, brings the total number of confirmed cases in North Yorkshire to 117.

The government boosted efforts to combat the disease by setting up a forward allocations base at the Defra offices in Northallerton on Wednesday.

Around 30 staff, including 25 vets, will operate from the centre. A spokesman for Defra said the new base was part of its aim to meet guidelines of slaughtering animals on infected premises within 24 hours and within 48 hours on contiguous premises and dangerous contact sites.

Officers will also carry out regular patrols within 3km of all infected farms and ensure blood sampling of livestock is done efficiently.

North Yorkshire County Council has stepped up its pressure on central government for more cash to save the ailing rural economy.

The council is demanding extra funding to regenerate the countryside. Councillors also want the government to pay for all of the business rate relief in areas devastated by foot-and-mouth.

Under the present scheme, district councils have to cover 5pc of the cost, meaning ratepayers will foot the bill.

Coun John Blackie proposed the motion at a meeting of the council on Wednesday. Coun Blackie represents the upper dales - one of the areas hardest hit by the virus.

"We desperately need additional funding from government to help in the regeneration of the countryside and to support rural businesses."

Coun Blackie also called for Whitehall to publish its contingency plans for tackling further outbreaks of the disease.

His proposal was welcomed by Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors, but 11 Labour members voted against the motion. They said the proposal was badly drafted and criticised Coun Blackie for not involving them in compiling it.