Farmers in North Yorkshire today spoke of their fears as the foot and mouth crisis took a stranglehold throughout the area.

Six more cases of the virus were confirmed over the weekend, including infected sheep at Haughfield Farm in Coniston Cold, near Skipton.

Animals will also be slaughtered at Viewley Hill Farm in High Worsall and a suspected infection at Far Cappleside in Rathmell has been confirmed.

Animals owned by Aigden Farm in Wigglesworth, but kept at Springfield Farm in Scaleber have also been diagnosed with the virus and more than 1,000 sheep will be slaughtered at Home Farm in Halton West.

The total number of cases in the Settle area was today confirmed as 15. A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) said investigations into the source were continuing. Motorists travelling in North Yorkshire were today being urged to keep off the roads to avoid disruption in the light of the growing foot and mouth crisis in the area.

Michael Stapleton and his brother Andrew have been told by MAFF officials that so far their farm at Switches, Hellifield, near Skipton, is safe.

Their two neighbours have farms next to the outbreak in Coniston Cold and are set to lose their stock.

"We have been told that we are reprieved for the time being, but it is a terrible situation to be in," said Mr Stapleton, who, along with his brother, also runs a contracting business.

"We are absolutely sick about it."

John Beckwith farms 200 cows and 700 sheep with his family at Home House Farm, Skipton Road, Gargrave,

He said he was "absolutely devastated" by the spread of foot and mouth.

"I've seen army Land Rovers moving past the entrance on the road - it's very unnerving," he said. "We can't do much more than wait, we've done all we can to stop it."

Tim Palmer, group secretary of the Craven National Farmers' Union, said: "The speed with which it is spreading is worrying. It is jumping about in leaps and bounds quite a long way from the initial nucleus. The question now is how far will it jump?

"We have held our breath and hoped it wouldn't come here but now farmers know the storm is going to hit us."

Farmers estimate that 50,000 animals in the area have already been culled but warn the figure could rise steeply if the disease spreads on to the hills, where there are thousands of sheep.

Craven district councillor Joan Harrison, (Con/Gargrave) said: "We are horrified that it has moved so far down the valley. Many people are fearful it could get worse despite all the precautions that have been taken over all these weeks."

Police today warned that some roads in Malham and Settle would be closed as animals were slaughtered and carcasses removed from infected sites.