Local farmers are being urged to report any suspected cases of the Schmallenberg virus - a disease which has caused birth defects and miscarriages in livestock in England.

By Monday of this week the virus had been identified on 83 farms in England - five of the positive cases diagnosed in cattle and 78 in sheep.

The virus has been associated with brief mild/moderate disease (milk drop, pyrexia, diarrhoea) in adult cattle and late abortion or birth defects in newborn cattle, sheep and goats.

Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for Regulation and Environment, said: "Although the Schmallenberg virus is not a notifiable disease, we encourage animal keepers to inform their veterinary surgeon if they suspect such cases."