AN outbreak of bovine TB in a previously "clean" area around Midhurst and Petworth is causing farmers great concern.

Eighteen cattle have tested positive for the disease and a cow belonging to the Sussex Wildlife Trust, which was part of a herd grazing on Stedham Common, has been slaughtered.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found no fault with the trust, which had been careful to follow procedure and had sourced the affected animal from a TB-free part of the country. It had been tested previously five times with no problem.

For full story, see this week's Liphook Herald.