FURIOUS Roger Ollerton said a walker hurled abuse when he warned him not to use common land closed because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Roger, of Wheeler End Common, Wheeler End, was shocked to see people flouting the strict regulations prohibiting the use of the land near his home on Sunday morning.

The 56-year-old went outside to tell walkers not to use the common as they might spread the virus but was told to mind his own business by one person who swore at him.

Roger said: "I think it's just unbelievable and it saddens me. I tried to discover who I should report it to. The police said it was nothing to do with them, MAFF referred me to the local authority, then Wycombe District Council said it was Bucks County Council. People are ignoring the signs and nobody wants to enforce it."

Grange Farm in Little Chesterton, Bicester, was confirmed on Saturday as being infected with the virus. The farm is approximately 25 miles north west of High Wycombe.

Buckinghamshire County Council announced last week that it had closed all public rights of way to prevent the spread of foot and mouth.

Notices are being posted at all public access points which prohibit unauthorised access under the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 1983 and the Foot and Mouth Disease Order 2001. Contravention of these orders is a criminal offence and carries a maximum fine of £5,000.

A Thames Valley police spokesman said: "MAFF and Trading Standards, supported by Thames Valley Police, are appealing to people to avoid areas where notices are displayed.

"Anyone breaching these orders are breaking the law and run the risk of being detained."

Supermarkets in High Wycombe said there had been panic buying of meat, but there were no shortages on the shelves at the moment.

Tesco manager Richard Kennedy-Head, in Loudwater, High Wycombe, said: "Our supplies are good and we got an extra 30 per cent stock in last week."