FOOT and mouth restrictions are still wreaking havoc with this summer's agricultural shows.

Organisers of Arthington Show said this week that they will be going ahead without sheep and cattle because of the tough restrictions on livestock.

Weeton Show, although it has sheep and goats on the schedule, is warning people to contact organisers just before the event.

And Askwith Show, due to take place in June, has been cancelled altogether for the second year running

Last month it was announced that Otley Show, which takes place in May - the first show of the year - would go ahead without sheep and cattle because of tough restrictions still associated with last year's outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Now, show secretaries say that although the last case of foot and mouth in the country was reported in September last year, continuing bio-security restrictions by the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has made it impossible to include cloven footed animals.

Arthington Show will be held on Sunday July 21 on the showfield at the top of Pool Bank in Bramhope.

Sheila Dickinson, show secretary, said: "DEFRA say that we can have cattle and sheep at the show, but there would be a lot of restrictions.

"It would be changing on a weekly basis, so we have decided not to include them in the schedule."

The show will retain many popular features, such as show jumping and the dog display, this year provided by the Canine Defence League.

The Weeton Show will take place a week later on Sunday July 28.

While organisers are retaining sheep and goats on the event's schedule, visitors are being advised to contact the show's organisers closer to the day of the show.

Alison Denman, show secretary, said: "They are on the schedule, but really we are planning a show without them.

"We would love to feature cloven-hoofed animals at Weeton, but we have not got the resources to comply with the required DEFRA regulations."

Meanwhile, Otley Carnival committee has appealed for people to support the event more than ever this year. Last year's event was cancelled due to the foot and mouth outbreak.