LIVESTOCK farmers in Kennet will be restricted on moving their animals following the extension of the Bluetongue protection zone.

Defra extended the protection zone last night to include the Kennet district to stop the disease spreading. There are no cases of Bluetongue in Kennet.

No other parts of Wiltshire are in the protection zone.

The extension of the protection zone was done after further cases of Bluetongue were identified in Essex.

The protection zone extends to 150 km around the outbreaks which have been in East Anglia and Essex.

There are currently 34 confirmed premises affected by Bluetonge.

The disease mainly affects sheep, cattle, deer and goats and is spread by midges.