Yorkshire's premiere agricultural show has been cancelled over fears of foot and mouth.

The Great Yorkshire Show has been axed for the first time in 50 years with yesterday's announcement coming on the day three more cases of foot and mouth were confirmed in Settle.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said the latest cases were at Green Farm, Halton West, Stansfield Farm, Nappa, and Kail Farm in Thorpe, bringing the total in Settle to 34.

Cancellation of the Harrogate show will be not only a blow to the morale of the agricultural community but also its finances as some of the proceeds were going to the farming industry.

On Tuesday the National Farmers' Union said it was pulling out of the show as it did not feel it would be right to take part with the mood of many of its members downcast.

Chairman of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's executive committee, John Stoddart-Scott, said this decision was taken at a time when the outbreaks of foot and mouth appeared to be on the decrease.

The latest spate of cases in Settle had forced the committee to reassess this thinking and led to the cancellation.

The show costs £14 million to stage and attracts over 120,000 visitors with the Queen due to have attended the opening day.