Visitors to the South Downs are being urged to take extra precautions to help stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Though no cases have been reported in Sussex, visitors are still being asked to be aware of the dangers.

Foot-and-mouth is not dangerous to humans but is highly contagious in cattle, sheep, pigs and goats.

It can be spread by footwear, so it is possible for visitors to spread the disease by walking from farm to farm.

Visitors are being advised to keep away from farmyards, divert their routes away from livestock, look for alternative walks in woodland or on public paths and keep dogs on a lead.

At Seven Sisters Country Park sheep are used to graze the downland.

As a precaution, visitors are being asked to walk in the Friston Forest part of the park away from grazed grassland areas.

Countryside Manager Phil Belden said: "Taking care now with responsible access to the countryside may prevent any worsening situation occurring."