DISINFECTED mats have been laid at key entrances to the New Forest in a bid to stop the outbreak of the nationwide spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Initial road safety difficulties have been overcome to allow the mats to be placed near cattle grids so that vehicle tyres can be disinfected as they enter and leave the forest.

The move follows the worst day on record during the outbreak so far (last Sunday) for cases being reported - with 25 new cases of-foot-and mouth being confirmed in the UK.

The disinfected mats follow similar precautions taken at the world's ferry ports and airports, with other countries keen to protect themselves against the threat of the disease being brought in on vehicle tyres or passengers' shoes.

Despite the rising number of reports throughout the UK, the despair of farmers and the increasing threat to the tourist industry which has been left reeling from cancelled holiday bookings, agriculture minister Nick Brown said that he was "absolutely cetain" the foot-and-mouth crisis was firmly under control.

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council explained: "The mats will be laid and the disinfectant applied by specialist contractors used to dealing with a wide range of similar materials.

The mats will be regularly topped up with disinfectant to ensure their effectiveness is maintained and will stay in position for the foreseeable future."

The mats, which are each four metres long, are made of material similar to that found in a coconut-fibre doormat.

Other measures taken by Hampshire County Council to help prevent an outbreak include:

l Warning signs for motorists

l Preventing the movement of livestock in restricted areas

l Closure of all countryside paths and rights of way

l Licensing farmers to move their livestock in non-restricted areas

l Keeping schools informed

Councillor Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "Due to the unique nature of the New Forest and the fact that deer and ponies roam free - with deer able to contract the disease and ponies able to carry it - we are pleased to be installing disinfected mats on key roads to help to reassure the community of our commitment to limiting the impact of foot-and-mouth in Hampshire.

"Road safety remains as important as ever and we're asking motorists to slow down as they approach the mats - warning signs and bollards will be in place to remind drivers to beware."