The foot and mouth crisis has led to the cancellation of the Buckinghamshire County Show, for the first time in its 134-year history.

Secretary Jenny Baker said organisers had a duty to the farming community to do all they could to minimise any risk of spreading this disease.

She added: "One option would have been to run the show without livestock, but that would have done irreparable damage to our reputation as an agricultural show.

"Although the decision will be very disappointing to many regular supporters, we should remember all those who have been casualties of the disease and have seen a lifetime's work destroyed."

The show, which attracts hundreds of people from Oxfordshire as well as Buckinghamshire, was to have taken place on August 30.

Mrs Baker said all their efforts were now being put into the show scheduled for August 29, 2002.