A small Northern Ireland company that manufactures award-winning outdoor pursuits products yesterday became the latest victim of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Britain when it was forced to put its 80 staff on a short working week following a 50 per cent fall in sales.

Sources close to Bridgedale Socks in Newtownards, Co Down, said the company feared that jobs could be under threat if the crisis was to continue throughout the summer months.

Managing director Mr Jim Campbell said the company had lost at least half of this year's sales because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Mr Campbell said: "I would hope there won't be a long-term impact on the company because of this but the only way we can control costs at this time is to reduce our working hours. The only consolation I have is that this is a unique situation and once it is sorted out our business will go back to normal."