Farmers and golf course owners across the district are in a battle with an underground movement that is threatening to destroy their livelihoods.

Landowners have been struggling to control a mole epidemic which has resulted in an explosion in the number of molehills.

One reason for the increase is thought to be the foot-and-mouth epidemic two years ago which meant mole catchers could not get access to large expanses of land to control the mole population.

Mark Ashton, pictured, of Norr Farm, Wilsden, said: "We have got a lot of moles this year because during foot-and-mouth there was no-one controlling them.

"There are also less mole catchers around because a lot of them gave up at that time. By next year it could affect my business if it isn't sorted out."

Another possible reason for the increase could be that stocks of the chemical strychnine, the poison used under licence to control numbers, have been unavailable since about September.

Thornton and Ross, a pharmaceutical company in Huddersfield, which is the only licensed importer and distributor of the chemical, has been unable to get hold of supplies, which come from India.

Jeff Marsden, owner of Laycocks Agricultural Chemist in Skipton, said: "We haven't got any in stock and the wholesalers haven't either. The same problem occurred last year."

James Lawn, chairman of the Bradford and Bingley branch of the National Farmer's Union, said: "There has definitely been an increase in moles. The foot-and-mouth crisis did it. It has escalated out of proportion. Speaking to the local branch members, it's a real problem at the moment."

Philip Sutton, of Baildon Golf Club, agreed that the moles were increasing year by year.

"The verges are absolutely covered in them," he said.

Heather Holmes, of the RSPCA in Yorkshire and the North East, urged people trying to control the numbers of moles to observe the law.

"In a perfect world it would be great if the use of poison was not necessary," she said.

"If you do use a poison, you should make sure you are aware of current legislation and follow the instructions on the packet carefully."