CHORLEY is pioneering a scheme to get Lancashire's farming industry back on track following the devastating effects of the foot and mouth crisis.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food began the task of 'surveillance bleeding' this week which will hopefully mean restrictions being lifted on a number of local arms.

Rob Paul, divisional veterinary manager for MAFF, explained that surveillance bleeding involves visiting all farms within the three kilometre protection zone of infected farms to physically examine animals for signs of the disease and take blood samples for testing.

He said: "We will be testing blood for traces of natural antibodies to the foot and mouth virus. If we find no trace it means the animal has never come into contact with it, which means it is safe. If we do find traces it means the animal has seen the virus and could be shedding it. In this instance we would possibly have to cull them and it would almost certainly delay lifting restrictions." Chorley and surrounding areas are the first in Lancashire to introduce the scheme and testing started on Monday, April 30.

Mr Paul went on to say that although MAFF are testing on individual farms, they must look at the bigger picture.

"Because the disease is so widespread our task is very complex. Each of the four foot and mouth cases confirmed have a three kilometre protection zone, and these four areas form one cluster."

If all tests in the cluster show no trace of the disease or antibodies against it, only then could restrictions be lifted.