Oxford Rugby Club was closed on Saturday due to the discovery of foot and mouth disease in the bodies of animals culled on a farm at South Hinksey.

Now the club have called off all rugby activity for three weeks at their Southern Bypass ground.

The animals were kept on farmland, almost opposite Oxford RFC's ground.

The club took advice from the local MAFF office and liaised with Saturday's scheduled opponents, Milton Keynes, before caling the game off.

Also cancelled was Sunday's session of mini and youth rugby.

A disappointed Oxford RFC chairman, Nick Scroggs, said: "We have put the moral dilemma and the sensitivities of the farming community ahead of the cost to the club, by cancelling and postponing all rugby related activities for three weeks.

"Fortunately, the club enjoys good relations with other local organisations and have received offers of help."

The action also affects Botley Boys FC, Oxford Cavaliers Rugby League and Oxford Saints American Football clubs, all of whom use the rugby club site.

Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis Club has not been affected.