Paramedics on 999 calls in Oxfordshire will ignore measures put in place to stop the spread of foot and mouth disease.

Ambulance drivers travelling to emergencies in the county's rural areas have been told to put patients' safety first before worrying about spreading the highly contagious disease.

The policy was revealed by Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust deputy director Steve Haynes.

He said: "We are dealing with emergency call-outs as normal.

"We will deal with our patients first and clean down vehicles later on.

"Non-emergencies are slightly different and are being dealt with case by case.

"If we are transporting a patient to hospital for treatment or an operation which is essential, then we will pick them up.

He added: "All ambulance workers have been given a copy of the policy and so far no patients have been affected by the rules."

A spokesman from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food agreed with Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust's policy of looking after a patient's well-being first.

He said: "If it's a life or death situation this would obviously be the practical thing to do, provided that paramedics carry out full disinfection of their vehicle and themselves afterwards."