The South West Dairy Show, which attracts many farmers from the south west, is to go ahead as planned despite the foot and mouth outbreak in Surrey. But there will be no cattle present.

The organising committee met at the Bath and West Showground yesterday to discuss the situation.

The Committee was obviously concerned and deeply disappointed with news of the latest foot and mouth outbreak but the unanimous decision was made to continue the show without the cattle classes on October 3, said show manager Alan Lyons.

In spite of no cattle and subject to containment of the outbreak, the show would still offer an informative and thought provoking day to all involved in the dairy industry, he said.

Show chairman, Edwin White, said: "Despite this latest outbreak the show will go on. After the outbreak in 2001 we ran a very successful show without livestock, and although very disappointed at the current news we believe dairy farmers will benefit as usual from this important show."