THE New Forest has been divided into six zones in a bid to prevent the mass slaughter of animals if the area if hit by foot-and-mouth disease.

Meanwhile, an agricultural college in Hampshire was expected to be given the all clear today after a foot-and-mouth scare yesterday afternoon.

The developments come just hours after the government warned that the crisis is far from over.

Chief Veterinary Officer Jim Scudamore effectively ruled out any hopes of an early end to the outbreak as the number of cases across the country topped 100 for the first time.

Mr Scudamore told farmers: "This outbreak is going to last for a long time."

The contingency plan to divide the New Forest into six zones has been drawn up by the Forestry Commission and the Verderers.

If an animal in one zone shows signs of the disease, only cloven-hoofed stock in that part of the Forest will have to be killed.

Animals in other zones would still be tested, but would not face automatic slaughter.

Without the scheme thousands of stock across the Forest should have to be killed if just one animal developed symptoms of foot-and-mouth.

A massive operation to protect the Forest from the virus was delayed today.

Highway engineers were due to place disinfected mats at 120 cattle grids around the edge of the Forest.

But the operation was postponed after the mats were branded a potential safety hazard to motorists.

A county council spokesman said: "Work is still being carried out to ensure the mats are as safe as possible for motorists as they drive over them.

"Further discussions with the police are being held to find the best way forward."

Sparsholt College near Winchester is expected to be given the all-clear today, just hours after worried staff called in Ministry of Agriculture vets after noticing lameness in dairy cows kept on the college farm.

Vets confirmed that no trace of foot-and-mouth was found in livestock at the college, but the animals wwere being re-examined today as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, a Hampshire farmer was today launching an attack on government vets after waiting more than a week for foot-and-mouth results to confirm whether his animals will be slaughtered.

MAFF officials served a notice on Merryfield farm on the West Tisted estate near Alton ten days ago, but have still not issued conclusive results.

Farm manager Peter Datlen is calling for immediate action to end the delay.

National Farmers' Union spokesman William White said the time taken for the results was unacceptable.

He said: "The situation has gone on for far too long. It is causing huge anxiety to the farm involved."

Nationally 89,000 animals had now been earmarked for slaughter, of 61,000 have already been culled.

Restrictions are still in place on 144 farms pending ongoing investigations.

In the New Forest commoners are being asked to take all pigs, sheep, cattle and goats off public land.

They are also being urged to limit the number of times they drive across the Forest to check on animals still running loose.

Precautions taken by the Forestry Commission include the closure of car parks and campsites.

A commission spokesman said: "Forest golf courses have agreed to stop playing, and a similar request will be made to football and rugby clubs.

"Underpasses under the A31, A35 and A337 have been closed.

"Public rights of way across the railway line between Brockenhurst and Ashurst will be suspended, and bridges and underpasses not on public roads will be closed."