Farmers across Sussex are anxiously waiting for news following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Surrey.

All movement of cows, sheep and cattle have been put on hold while tests continue at the farm near Guildford to find the source of the outbreak.

A voluntary export ban on all animals and animal products is also in place.

The slaughter of the animals infected began on Saturday afternoon.

Farmers are hoping the incident will be an isolated case but the main concern is whether the animals involved may have moved around the country before they were eventually diagnosed.

The restrictions mean that although farmers are likely to be given permission to move stock to an abattoir for slaughter, they will not be able to sell them at market.

Hailsham farmer Phil Hook, who has a dairy and organic beef farm, said this meant it was unlikely the town's weekly cattle market would go ahead on Wednesday.

He said: "Obviously it is a very worrying time at the moment. A lot of us have only just got back on our feet following the last outbreak of foot and mouth.

"The good thing is the Government seems to have learnt its lesson from the previous experience and has acted really quickly to put a halt to all movements until we know exactly what is happening.

"We'll have to keep our fingers crossed this is a one-off."

Michael Fordham, who has a cattle farm at Little Horsted, near Uckfield, said: "We need to be wary of who is coming on and off the farm at the moment and be as vigilant as we can.

"Things are a bit too early to call at the moment and we need to let the scientific experts do their thing. It is a bit of a waiting game.

"I had planned to take some cattle to the abattoir this week and that should be okay but it is a blow for those who were planning to take their livestock to a market.

"It is absolutely right that all movement has been stopped for now until we know for sure."

Jane Howard, who runs Cooper's Farm in Wadhurst said it was crucial information about infected animals and where they might have moved around the country prior to their diagnosis is given as soon as possible.

She said the authorities were in far a better position to track the movements of the animals involved than at the time of the 2001 outbreak.

Mrs Howard said as each cow now had its own passport - a measure brought in as a result of the BSE crisis - it should be easy to trace where each animal has been and revealing how much the animals have moved around the UK before their diagnosis would put farmers' minds at rest.

Wildlife rescuers warned that animals would suffer because of the movement restrictions.

Trevor Weeks, of the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) was dealing with a road casualty deer when he heard of the movement restriction being imposed.

He said: "Normally we move such patients to the specialist deer unit at St Tiggywinkles in Buckinghamshire after initial treatment here in East Sussex, but on contacting St Tiggywinkles they informed us that movement restrictions were now in place.

"The deer has been treated by local vets and a specialist vet from St Tiggywinkles is due to come down to assess the animal's condition and whether we can apply for a movement order to get the deer to St Tiggywinkles for the specialist treatment it needs."

Mr Weeks said WRAS would not be able to move road casualty or other types of injured deer or hedgehogs from where they have been found.

West Sussex County Council cabinet member for public protection Lionel Barnard said: "All the necessary plans and procedures are in place. Naturally, everyone hopes that this is an isolated incident.

"However we have to be vigilant. I want to stress that there is no risk to the public and the West Sussex countryside is open as usual and no footpaths are closed.

"The situation is being kept under constant review in consultation with government departments.

"The advice at present is that there is no reason to close paths in West Sussex. If and when the advice changes we will immediately take action.

"The Government has advised that closures should only happen after a risk review led by vets and animal health and if that becomes the case we will get it done with all urgency."

A protection zone of three kilometres radius and surveillance zone of ten kilometres has been placed around the Surrey farm.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has set up a telephone line for enquiries on 08459 33 55 77.

There is also information about the outbreak and foot and mouth on its website www.defra.gov.uk A spokesman for the National Farmers Union said:" We fully support the blanket suspension of all livestock movements, market and shows.

"We believe that this is the right response to this incident and it is vital that we do everything possible to stop the spread of this disease as quickly as possible.

"We would encourage all livestock keepers to be vigilant and monitor their livestock closely."

The Health Protection Agency said foot and mouth disease was not a direct public health threat and it had no implications for the human food chain.