A POPULAR farm for families and children has closed its doors in a desperate bid to save its animals from the dreaded foot and mouth virus.

Odds Farm Park in Wooburn Common, home to a number of rare breeds, has not got the virus on its premises but is taking all the precautions it can to safeguard livestock.

It is one of 1,500 farms in Buckinghamshire affected by the restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) following last week's outbreak at an abbatoir in Essex.

The farm is normally open throughout the week, all year round, to children and families who come to see the many different, and sometimes rare, animals.

But it has been forced to close for at least this week, meaning loss in revenue for the proprietor Steve Vinden.

He said on Saturday: "Hopefully we'll be open next week. It's a busy time of year for us soon. We'll have lambs born and foals and there's a lot going on for people to take part in."

He added that it was vital to safeguard the farm's livestock because some breeds are rare.

"Some are in danger of extinction because farmers no longer use those breeds. Some of them number less than 100 in the whole world."

Other wildlife parks and zoos, including Woburn Safari Park, have also closed.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown has called on people not to panic buy meat products and remain calm but shoppers at one store virtually cleaned out its meat products.

Steven White, duty manager for Safeway in Temple End, High Wycombe, said shoppers on Sunday almost completely cleared out stocks and there was only a little bit of meat left.

The virus scare first hit last Monday and Greenway Farm in Great Horwood near Buckingham has had a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth. It is currently subject to a five mile exclusion zone.

But while farms in south Buckinghamshire have not had outbreaks, farmers have still been affected with a worldwide ban imposed on exports of British meat, livestock and dairy products.

MAFF has also banned the movement of all sheep, cattle, pigs and goats within the UK until March 2 to help ensure the current outbreak is contained and eradicated as quickly as possible.

William White, senior policy adviser with the NFU South East said: "The phones have been red hot this week with farmers needing common-sense practical advice."

Advice includes being vigilant, maintaining hygiene standards and instructing the postman to leave mail in a box at the end of the drive.

The British Horse Society is advising riders to keep off all bridleways and farm land until all danger of foot and mouth spreading has passed.