Brighton's Stanmer Park and Drusillas Zoo Park have been closed to the public as Sussex acts to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Drusillas, at Alfriston, took the decision to close indefinitely this morning. Some of its attractions had already been shut.

Brighton and Hove City Council, which owns Stanmer park, is also appealing for people to keep away from the 13 downland farms it owns and has supplied farmers with signs to warn people away.

Football matches at Stanmer Park, Waterhall and possibly Braypool have all been cancelled this weekend.

Councillor Mike Middleton said: "This is the only responsible course of action we can take, given how serious the national situation is becoming.

"Visitors to Stanmer Park are otherwise able to walk or drive right up to the cattle pens in the centre of Stanmer village. That's the last thing the farm needs.

"There are a lot of access points to these farms, so it's impossible to patrol effectively. So we're pleading with people, especially dog walkers, to act responsibly and stay away."

The closures of the farms at Mile Oak, New Barn in Portslade, Golf Farm, Waterhall, Standean, High Park, Home Farm in Stanmer, Upper Bevendean Farm, Court Farm in Falmer, Bulstrode Farm in Ovingdean, Balsdean Farm, Housdean Farm, Balmer Farm and Coombe Farm in Saldean are indefinite.

Council contractor Ecovert has already moved a fleet of vehicles from their usual depot at Stanmer Park to reduce movements to and from the area.

East and West Sussex County Councils are also urging people to stay away from the countryside.

The number of confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth today grew to 18 nationally. None has so far been reported in Sussex.

Ministers have now given councils rarely-used powers to close footpaths and rights of way in affected areas.

The two county councils said they could not close paths straight away.

West Sussex councillor Harold Hall said the powers did not apply because there had been no cases of the disease.

He said: "With West Sussex being such a rural county with extensive farming interests it makes sense for people not to go for walks in the countryside until the crisis has passed."

The NFU urged councils to act and close down countryside footpaths.

Although not dangerous to humans, foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and can be spread by people walking from farm to farm.

The Sussex Downs Conservation Board has closed the Seven Sisters Country Park and is appealing to people to keep away from the South Downs. The Sussex Wildlife Trust has closed all its nature reserves.

The National Trust has closed many of its properties and some grazed areas of downland.

Many countryside attractions have been closed, among them the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Singleton, and the Washbrook Farm Centre, Hurstpierpoint.

District councils have urged people to keep away from livestock and cancelled walks and countryside events.

Cyclists are also being asked to stay away from cross-country cycle ways, such as the Cuckoo Trail between Polegate and Heathfield.

The Society of Sussex Downsmen has also cancelled its walking programme.

Farmers' markets in Sussex have been hit, with many scheduled to take place during the next few days already postponed.