The Department of Education’s closed two centres in the countryside as part of the precautions being taken following the foot and mouth disease outbreak in the UK.

The Eary Cushlin youth adventure centre, near Dalby, which is accessible only by footpath, is closed, as is the Ardwhallan outdoor pursuits centre at West Baldwin, on advice from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The west side of Injebreck, where Ardwhallan is sited, remains open and if sheep can be prevented from entering the land and bio-security measures are introduced at the entrance, it’s hoped Ardwhallan will re-open soon.

All Duke of Edinburgh’s Award-related expeditions in the countryside have been stopped until further notice.