Upmarket cafe and restaurant operator Madisons Coffee has become the latest firm to warn it may be hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Madisons, whose portfolio includes the upmarket Richoux chain, is implementing an action plan to minimise the "adverse financial effects" of the epidemic.

In a statement announcing a pre-tax losses of �640,000 in the second half of 2000, Madisons reported firm sales so far this year from its 48 outlets.

But a prolonged outbreak of foot-and-mouth "would lead to widespread commercial disruption and could significantly affect a number of our raw material food costs", the group warned.

Rising tally

More than 30 listed firms have now warned UK investors that the epidemic will affect profits, or said they have at least reviewed the outbreak's potential impact.

While the companies include agriculturally focused enterprises such as Genus, the world's largest cattle breeding business, firms in sectors such as leisure, publishing and construction have also said that earnings might be hit.

Companies which on Wednesday warned that the disease might impact profits included Jennings, the brewery business which owns 175 pubs in northern England.

Trade in Jennings' rural pubs, representing about half the firm's portfolio, has been "adversely affected" by the fall in tourists to the countryside following the onset of foot-and-mouth, a statement said.

Fishing and cycling

Also, Macdonald Hotels, which operates more than 50 hotels throughout the country, warned that earnings will be "negatively affected" by the epidemic.

And the owner of Leeda, the UK's largest fishing tackle distributor, and the Madison bicycle parts business admitted the epidemic's "significant adverse effect on outdoor sports such as cycling and fishing".