Pig and sheep farmer David Orpwood is fearing the worst.

His farm at Watlington could be closed because a lorry which called on him had had contact with Cheale Meats, the Essex food process depot at the centre of the foot and mouth crisis.

Mr Orpwood, chairman of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon National Farmers' Union, who lives with his wife and three children at Woods Farm, said: "It is horrendous and really nerve-racking. We don't know if we are going to be closed down for 28 days or not."

He said he had been in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and was waiting to hear if he would have to shut down.

He said: "My vets think it is probable. I don't know when I can sell things and that worries me because of cash flow. I don't have any spare cash, like all farmers, to see me through.

"The postman doesn't come down here. I go and collect our mail from town every morning but I try not to go off the farm. I have disinfectant at all the entrances. We are not completely isolated but nearly. I have never seen anything like it. It is very, very worrying.

"Another thing that is worrying us, is, what happens when the crisis is over and we can sell again? Will there be a glut and will food processors lower prices?

Brize Norton farmer Colin Dawes said: "It is very worrying. I have 800 breeding ewes which have just started lambing and about 150 head of cattle.

"We can't move anything off the farm. We will not be able to move the ewes to grazing so they will be stuck in the same shed. We can manage for a week and then we will be struggling."

Farmers across Oxfordshire worried about the crisis are being urged to phone a special helpline for support.

Dr Sian Griffiths, director of public health with Oxfordshire Health Authority, said: "Many rural people are very self-reliant and won't ask for help themselves. Friends and family of those in distress may also find it hard to get help, and may subsequently require support and encouragement themselves. This is where the Rural Stress Information Network can help."

The Rural Stress Information Network can be reached on 02476 412916.