Tony Blair yesterday dismissed calls to delay the general election until after the foot and mouth crisis is over.

The government insisted the countryside is not closed saying that the census and local elections will still go ahead.

The Guardian claims that Gordon Brown believes a decision on a May poll is "on a knife-edge" as the government does not want to be seen as over-riding concerns of farmers.

The Prince of Wales has given £500,000 to help farmers cope with the crisis.