AN ANGRY North Yorkshire farmer has branded thieves who stole equipment used to disinfect people and vehicles against foot and mouth "sick".

Jonathan Fairburn, of Griff Farm, near Helmsley - which falls inside the Government's bio-security zone - says the thieves have now put his farm at risk.

"Without this equipment we can't disinfect people coming onto the farm, which is increasing the risk of spreading foot and mouth."

Like every other farmer within the biosecurity zone Mr Fairburn is required to place footbaths, disinfectant spray and brushes at the entrance to his farm.

"I woke up and found my brush and my sprayer had been stolen - the entrance is some way from the farm so I wouldn't have seen who did it," he said.

"It has cost me £35 to replace and I simply cannot believe someone is going around stealing these items at such a critical time as this.

"I know I am not the only one within the biosecurity zone to have had items pinched. Whoever is doing this is sick."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers were unaware that disinfecting items had been stolen from farms in the zone.