THE first disinfected mats are due to be placed on minor roads across the New Forest today.

Following talks yesterday, the Forestry Commission decided to place the mats at cattle grids leading into the forest, which has already been hit by foot-and-mouth disease with the closure of bridleways, footpaths and carparks.

Meanwhile, two farmers are still waiting on the results of Ministry of Agri-culture tests carried out on their livestock after it was feared they had contracted foot and mouth.

The results are expected from Barracks Farm, at Monkwood, near Alresford, and Allenford Farm, at Martin, near Fordingbridge.

Meat supplies are one step closer to the supermarket shelves after a Hampshire abattoir was granted permission to slaughter livestock.

Under the government scheme to get livestock moving across the county that has so far has no confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth, R W Newman & Partners, in Farnborough, was granted the license by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food along with nearly 200 others in the country.

Trading standards officers from Hampshire County Council have been inundated with calls from farmers requesting licences to book their animals in to the abattoir. Trading standards spokesman Tony Langstone said officers had been working round the clock and had already granted 30 licences to Hampshire farmers.

He said: "It has been manic to say the least but as soon as the legislation came in we began issuing them. We hope to grant around 60 in the next few days."

Livestock has already started moving through the abattoir that has adopted strict disinfecting routines and a colour-coding system for the livestock.

Meanwhile the disease is continuing to disrupt the countryside after filming for a popular television show based on countryside life in the South was postponed.

Country Ways, produced for Meridian Television, has temporarily suspended its schedule to avoid any chance of spreading the disease. Writer and director of the series Anthony Howard said: "I know some film crews are going to film on farmlands, but frankly I think that is irresponsible and I want no part of it."

Rumours that horses could catch foot-and-mouth disease prompted worried owners to call the British Society information line fearing their animals could be culled. The owners were assured that horses cannot contract the disease although they can carry it. Members of the society have been advised to stay off country roads, bridle ways and common land.

The disease has also allowed four horses grazing illegally in South-ampton to remain there amid fears they could spread foot-and-mouth if impounded. Council chiefs are investigating allegations that a resident in one of the tower blocks off International Way has placed the animals on Weston Common.

Marwell Zoo is to remain closed for a further two weeks as a continued precaution against the disease.

Country Ways will continues as usual on Tuesdays at 7.30pm on Meridian. The current series was filmed before the present crisis.