A farm near Bicester was given the all-clear after a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among its sheep on October 9.

Veterinary experts from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs were called to investigate the farm. The farm has not been identified.

A movement restriction of livestock was imposed and about 60 construction workers were told not to leave for two hours while tests were carried out. Results showed no evidence of the disease.

A DEFRA spokesman said: "We can confirm that the all-clear has been given for any traces of foot-and-mouth at a farm near Bicester.

"We cannot say what caused the scare but it can be difficult to distinguish the difference between foot-and-mouth and other animal diseases, particularly in sheep, and it is right that people should be cautious.

"Someone who is not an expert on the disease could be easily mistaken.

"All the correct precautionary measures were taken and we are pleased that the results were negative."

DEFRA said there have been a number of precautionary investigations across Britain into possible outbreaks of the disease since the last confirmed case on September 30 last year.

All investigations have proved negative.

Tests into a suspected outbreak of the disease at a farm in St Cleer, Cornwall, proved negative last month.

An 8km exclusion zone and livestock movement restrictions were imposed while vets examined a pedigree bull.