Crisis in the UK

Cases on Tuesday: 41 Total confirmed cases: 1,205 478,000 animals awaiting slaughter 888,000 animals have been slaughtered

West Mercia Police confirmed on Tuesday that an inquiry was under way into allegations of fraudulent claims for compensation during the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

A police spokesman said the investigation also concerned alleged illegal movement of livestock.

Police were notified of the allegations by Maff and Worcestershire Trading Standards officers last Thursday, the spokesman added.

About 15 police officers are currently involved in the investigation working alongside Maff and Trading Standards officials.

An investigation by The BBC's Newsnight programme on Monday claimed that 309 cases of illegal sheep movement had been reported to trading standards officers.

Moving sheep without a licence has been illegal since the outbreak began.

The government has promised �500m to compensate farmers across the UK affected by the disease.

Vigilance urged

This inquiry followed appeals by ministers and farmers' leaders urging farmers to stay vigilant of the dangers of spreading the disease.

The Maff and NFU websites are advising farmers to continue using the most stringent disinfection measures for all farm visits after fresh cases were discovered in the Scottish borders.

Neil Cumberledge, of the Ministry of Agriculture, told the BBC: "You can't stand over every farmer every moment of the day."

He said that was why Maff was working with unions to ensure that farmers were aware of their responsibilities in containing the disease's spread.

Stonehenge re-opened

Meanwhile Stonehenge re-opened to visitors on Tuesday after being closed for six weeks.

And at Hatherleigh, one of the first and worst hits areas in Devon, around 500 people are attending the first local market in six weeks.

You can't stand over every farmer every moment of the day

Neil Cumberledge, of the Ministry of Agriculture

European Union farm ministers are discussing agricultural reform and the foot-and-mouth crisis during talks in Sweden on Tuesday.

Extra troops have been sent to the Scottish borders, where cases have been discovered in previously "clean" areas near Jedburgh and Hownam.

Further burial pits are being dug - and in Cumbria engineers are constructing a pyre which can burn continuously to help clear the backlog of carcasses.

An emergency bill postponing local elections in England and Northern Ireland until 7 June has completed its passage through parliament.