John Morgan says he had received 'tremendous support' Potato disease - �400,000 cost

John Morgan, of Middlewood Farm in Bwlch - who faces the likelihood that the outbreak could cost him �400,000 - is keen to stress his business and the surrounding area is still open for business.

Although ring rot poses no risk to human health, farmers leaders in Wales had said the news of it being found in the UK is a "massive blow" to the industry.

"I have had tremendous support but I have heard of a school which wanted to cancel their trip to Llangorse - it's absolutely ridiculous," Mr Morgan told BBC News Online.

"Everything is open as per usual, the shop is open and ready.

The farm in Bwlch

"The only thing is I cannot sell my potatoes, there is a movement order on the potatoes."

And of the events of last week, he added: "I felt absolutely devastated, now I feel absolutely knackered, it's draining on your energy."

A total of 1,500 tonnes of potatoes are locked behind shed doors and testing will take place on the 22 varieties of different stocks next week.

Ministry officials, along with Mr Morgan and his staff, will start the laborious testing procedure which involves taking a small piece of skin and a little scoop from each potato and put into bags for testing in York.

At the moment the potato shed is in quarantine and there is no restriction on Mr Morgan's other stock movements of deer and sheep.