Three Sussex farmers have been paid almost £138,000 in foot-and-mouth compensation by the Government.

The highest payment was £64,225, according to figures released in a Commons written reply.

A second farmer received £45,205 while a third got £27,570. All three lived in East Sussex.

The cash was paid to compensate the farmers for animals slaughtered during the outbreak.

They were also compensated for the loss of hay and other materials.

The payments were made even though there were no cases of foot-and-mouth in Sussex.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs refused to discuss the details of individual cases.

However, the explanation for the payouts is likely to be that the farmers live in East Sussex but do not farm in the county.

Farming Minister Elliot Morley said: "The figures relate to the address to which the compensation has been paid."

"It may not be the address of the premises where stock was culled."

The largest individual sum paid by the Government was £4.7 million to a farmer in Dumfries.