The total number of confirmed foot-and-mouth cases has topped 70, with three further positive test results on Thursday.

The increase comes as organisers of the Royal Welsh Show took the decision to abandon the event this summer because of the outbreak.

All the confirmed cases on Thursday were in Powys, at Castle Caereinion, Manafon and Llynderw, near Welshpool.

Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 1,141 - with 70 in Wales Powys - 40 cases Anglesey - 13 cases Monmouthshire - 16 cases Caerphilly - 1 case Total animals slaughtered in Wales 81,080

The growing momentum to reopen visitor attractions round Wales in time for Easter continued with news Coed Cymru would have four woodlands open.

Pembrokeshire County Council has reopened a further 13 miles of footpaths at locations including Newgale and Solva.

Tory Assembly leader Nick Bourne has pressed for more funding to be made available to Wales Tourist Board during the crisis.

In mid and west Wales, there remains growing anger and confusion over the planned disposal at Epynt of thousands of carcasses.

Protesters at Epynt say they have lost faith in Carwyn Jones

The Epynt Disaster Group said it no longer had confidence in Welsh Rural Affairs Secretary Carwyn Jones to remain in overall charge of the operation.

The disposal of up to 180,000 carcasses was dealt a blow when the Environment Agency revealed on Wednesday that contamination had been discovered in a bore hole next the burial site.

But the agency does not believe groundwater will be affected by the pollution.

In north Wales, there is growing optimism that the outbreak on Anglesey may have been contained.

If they are left in the fields they have overwintered in they could die

Carwyn Jones, Welsh Rural Affairs Minister

It is over two weeks since the last case was confirmed on the island and officials have said that some animal movement restrictions there could be lifted in around a month's time.

And providing there were no fresh cases, Snowdonia National Park Chief Executive Iwan Hughes, the reserve would be completely re-opened in early summer.

On Thursday, Mr Jones clarified the Intervention Board's decision to use landfill sites in Wales to dispose of animals culled voluntarily under the Welfare of Livestock (Disposal) Scheme.

Mr Jones said: "There are many animals in Wales which cannot be returned to their home farms because of the current movement restrictions.

"These animals are not infected with foot-and-mouth, or even suspected of having the disease, but if they are left in the fields they have overwintered in they could die."

The assembly also announced on Thursday that three further disposal sites had been designated at Trecatti at Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales, Pwll Watkin, near Pontardawe, near Swansea, and the Astbury Quarry, Wrexham.

Wrexham AM and MP John Marek said he was "aghast" at the decision to chose Astbury Quarry.

Residents at Pontardawe are to hold a public meeting to discuss concerns at the proposed burial of carcasses.

Neath Port Talbot council is understood to have written to Carwyn Jones asking him to reconsider his decision.

Meanwhile, Gwynedd council has sent out a letter to 2,650 businesses offering them the option to defer payment of business rates for three months.

The move has been backed by an award of �1.5m from the assembly.