FARMERS across Oxfordshire are bracing themselves after foot-and-mouth was confirmed at a Surrey farm- and praying the Government has learned from the lessons of the devastating 2001 epidemic.

An emergency operation aimed at halting the spread of the disease, which financially crippled the farming industry six years ago, swung into action this weekend .

A nationwide ban on the movement of all sheep, cattle and pigs has been put in place.

Brian Bowden, who keeps 160 beef cattle at Bradley Farm in Cumnor, said: "It's a very nasty shock for us all after the terrible business of six years ago.

"All I hope is this time it's handled a great deal better than it was by the Government last time.

"It affects everything. We are arable farmers as well and it affects the trade from that too. We are very worried and very anxious."

Colin Dawes, of Foxbury Farm, Brize Norton, which has 90 sheep, 250 cattle, 250 pigs, and a farm shop, said: "We are waiting to see what happens and if the measures they have put in place will work.

"We are obviously concerned because if the control measures don't work, it could spread like it did last time.

"Nobody wants to go through what we had to then. The farming industry doesn't need a knock like that.

"We can survive for three weeks without moving any animals and by that time, it will either all be over or it will have spread into large areas."

Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Witney, is continuing with its summer events programme.

Manager Francesca Jones said: "At the moment, there is extreme concern. We are keeping an eye on the situation very closely, and if it is recommended we do so, we will cancel."

Sheep farmers in Thame faced an agonising wait after vets spent the weekend examining 3,000 animals which had been sold at a sheep fair at the town's farmers' market on Friday.

Auctioneer Simon Draper said: "The animals were deemed to be in transit so they could be moved providing there are no suspected animals here.

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