The Bishop of Oxford has offered support to the farming community of Oxfordshire in the wake of the latest foot and mouth outbreak to hit Britain.

The Right Rev John Pritchard said: "My heart goes out to the farming community as they again face the anxiety associated with a possible foot and mouth outbreak in our countryside.

"Clearly the situation is evolving day by day but this is an alarming time for everyone who works the land on our behalf and I want to pledge the support, concern and prayers of the Church for everyone involved."

He added: "Following the disaster of six years ago, farmers more recently have been facing floods, bird flu and TB in different corners of the land.

"Much of our rural economy is quite fragile and the country cannot afford to see another tragedy unfold like last time.

"Lessons have been learned from the last foot and mouth epidemic, but that doesn't remove the fear."

He said churches across the diocese would be ready to offer practical or spiritual help.