Silsden has been forced to abandon plans for its annual carnival because of fears over foot and mouth disease.

The carnival, which was set to be a day of family fun on July 29, on farming land at Jackson's Field, has been called off. Silsden Carnival Committee secretary Graham Inman hopes that the event will flourish next year.

He said: "We thought it was best to call it off this year because of the foot and mouth crisis.

"We were frightened that the disease might spread and that the farm would catch it.

"I know that no farms in the area have it at the moment but we can't take the risk. It's a precaution.

"It is a shame, but we will hold Silsden Carnival next year."