Foot-and-mouth dominates papers

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The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle on a farm in Surrey dominates the front pages.

The first editions of the papers were published before the strain of the outbreak was identified by Defra on Saturday night.

The strain is identical to that used at the Institute for Animal Health, at Pirbright, near the farm. But Defra could not say the laboratory was the source.

The Sunday Telegraph says a biosecurity failure at the Pirbright laboratory site in Surrey was being investigated as the suspected source.

The Sunday Times says the government should be prepared to vaccinate animals even if the farming lobby is opposed.

The paper concludes farmers should be nurtured but the government should not be in thrall to them.

Afghanistan role

The brigadier leading UK forces in Afghanistan tells the Observer British troops could remain there for longer than they were in Northern Ireland.

Brigadier John Mortimer says dealing with counter-insurgency and the narcotics trade are long-term tasks.

The Independent on Sunday reports of fresh concerns that Iran is supplying arms to the Taleban in Afghanistan.

The latest British soldier to die there may have been involved in trying to stop the shipments, the paper adds.

Garden search

The Sunday Express front page is devoted to a police search of the home of the only official suspect in the Madeleine McCann abduction case.

The paper says officers have started a grim search for the body of the four-year-old British girl.

The Sunday Mirror says British police were involved in digging up Robert Murat's garden in Portugal.

Officers began hacking back hedges, clearing undergrowth and digging, reports the paper.

Games course

The People reports pupils are to get lessons in Space Invaders instead of English and maths.

They will get a diploma in the history of computer games as part of a new media course launched in September.

Meanwhile, the Mail on Sunday reveals BBC One drama New Tricks is a tribute to writer Roy Mitchell's favourite football team, West Bromwich Albion.

It emerges that all the characters' surnames are derived from players or stands at the football club.