Prime Minister Tony Blair today announced the worst of the foot and mouth outbreak is over - paving the way for a June 7 General Election.

He said: "It is clear we are winning the battle against foot and mouth.

"The trend of the disease is clear and the number of daily cases has fallen.

"But there will be no relaxation of our guard. There will be no complacency."

He said the number of new cases had fallen to between seven and ten per day from an average of 16 in the seven days before April 22.

Meanwhile, the Tockwith and District Show, due to be held on August 4, has been cancelled because of the fear of spreading foot and mouth.

Organisers of an agricultural show in Stokesley have also decided to cancel.

But an alternative to the many cancelled shows in Ryedale could be taking place under plans by a Pickering businessman. Simon Boak has received positive reactions to the idea of holding a special event without livestock at the end of the summer to lift people's morale.

Updated: 11:15 Thursday, May 03, 2001