Cases of Blue-tongue virus on the increase

Cases of bluetongue virus, which can be fatal to some livestock, have spread to new parts of the West Midlands, according to the latest figures.

The number of confirmed cases rose to 38 with Staffordshire showing the biggest increase, as four new cases took the total number of affected sites in the county to 24.

There are also nine cases in Shropshire. NFU Midlands said the pressure on farmers who were facing an outbreak in their flocks and herds was "immense”.