The foot and mouth outbreak is starting to have an effect on businesses other than those connected with animals.

Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley, has experienced a 50 per cent drop in attendance and takings since the disease broke out in Oxfordshire.

Robert Jacobs, horticultural manager, said: "This the fourth week now that we have been really suffering. People are still calling to ask whether we are open or not and attendances are far lower than we would expect, if it carries on like this it's going to start hurting us."

Bicester Garden Centre, Oxford Road, Bicester, is in the heart of the county's foot and mouth epidemic, and is currently undergoing a major refurbishment.

Manager Mark Bradbury said: "Because our refurbishment has had an impact on trading, it's hard to judge whether foot and mouth has affected us. I'm sure that there are people who think we may be closed because of the proximity of the disease but we have not seen any direct link that has affected us."