PREMISES near Ashford have been struck by bluetongue, Defra has confirmed.

The Government department says that the lastest outbreak is one of two in the country. The other is in Peterborough.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Rural Affairs, announced in the Commons that Ashford was one of the areas affected.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious virus spread by a midge species, affecting ruminants including sheep and cattle. It can also affect goats and deer.

Ashford MP Damian Green said: "It is distressing news, particularly for the farmer concerned and for the livestock farmers that use Ashford Market."

Kent NFU chairman Chris Older said: "It's a considerable worry for Kent farmers. We had been half expecting it to land here before other parts of the country but it's now come here anyway. "

A Control Zone has now been put around the affected farm while investigations take place to determine the disease situation.

The existing Protection Zone has also been extended accordingly.

Fred Landeg, Defra deputy chief veterinary officer, said: "This is obviously unwelcome news for the farming industry. However, given the nature of this disease and its means of spread, this is not entirely unexpected."

The news comes just seven days after a mass meeting of farmers at Ashford Market demanded the Protection Zone cover the entire country because movement restrictions were affecting their livelihoods.