Restriction zones for bluetongue - a disease which can kill sheep and cattle - extended to whole of Lincolnshire

The bluetongue restricted zone has been increased to include the whole of Lincolnshire.

The disease - which attacks sheep and cattle - can cause high fever, salivation and swelling of the face and tongue and may prove deadly.

Bluetongue is spread by midges and the swelling of the lips and tongue gives a blue appearance, although this does not appear in all cases.

It is also known as the dancing disease as it can lead to lameness, knee walking in sheep and the constant change of foot position in cattle.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards have confirmed that the zone has now been increased countywide and beyond.

“Following the identification of further bluetongue cases close to the edge of the restricted zones, the two restricted zones have now been merged and extended,” a statement said.

“The new restricted zone covers all of Lincolnshire, as well as East Riding, North and North East Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey and West Sussex.”

A Government statement said: “Movement restrictions apply to cattle, sheep and other ruminants and camelids and their germinal products.”