Scores of sheep have been burned as fears of foot-and-mouth disease sweep through Sussex.

The animals were killed as a precautionary measure because some of them may have come into contact with infected animals at a market.

All the culled animals came from a market in Northampton They were burned yesterday afternoon at Curtis farm in Rusper, near Horsham, but NFU leaders stressed it was not a confirmed case of the disease.

The news has stunned people in the close-knit village.

Pat Newman, landlady at The Plough Inn in Rusper, said: "It is a talking point in the bar. This is obviously a concern and the disease has far-reaching implications. You just cannot begin to imagine what it's like for the people caught up in it".

Another farmer, who refused to be identified, said MAFF came down to oversee the burning of the animals and believes the sheep could have come into contact with infected animals at a market elsewhere in the country.

The move follows the closure of a farm at Smallfield, near Horley, which is being investigated for foot-and-mouth disease.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food shut it down after a possible outbreak in a flock of sheep.

Farmers across Sussex are now on the alert as the disease continues to take a grip on the country and say a spread could be devastating.

It is not known exactly how many sheep were culled at Rusper.

Annie Payne, secretary of the National Farmers' Union Mid Sussex group, said: "This is not a confirmed case. A farmer had contact with a market place elsewhere where there had been an outbreak.

"It is a precautionary measure. The sheep were burned yesterday but there were no cattle involved.

"We are still clear of the disease in Sussex. Precautions are being carried out to a high standard and we have to try to minimise the risk and we cannot sit back on our laurels.

"We have to remain cautious and we should all be thankful that the public are keeping away from farmland."

The Government's chief adviser on the disease has warned the number of cases may not peak until May, the likely date of the general election.

A further 40 cases of the disease were confirmed yesterday, bringing the total to 435.

Over 270,000 animals have now been culled with a further 130,000 awaiting slaughter.