THE past week has seen a major outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the Ribble Valley. One has to ask why. Could it be due to a coming general election and political doctoring and the opening of footpaths.

This latest outbreak is a warning that the countryside must be put out of bounds for all outdoor pursuits and every person, young or old, including those idiots who feel they can walk their dogs where they please.

It's a well known fact that anglers are great travellers. They could easily spread this disease. We have a crazy situation where some stretches of rivers are open for angling, such as in Cumbria. Many anglers fishing in Cumbria, a county that suffered badly from foot and mouth, are travelling from Lancashire.

We know disinfectant doesn't work -- it just kills the wildlife. Let's stop all fishing on all waters countrywide until the problem is solved.

Remember, we can go fishing when the disease is over.

MARTIN JAMES, Kingfisher, Grindleton, Clitheroe.