Western Morning News readers have overwhelmingly backed calls for an independent inquiry into the foot and mouth crisis.

More than 2,300 people cast their vote in a phone poll with 97 per cent demanding an inquiry. Just 61 people voted against.

The paper said the Government had so far only committed itself to a "proper" inquiry on the crisis and had fallen short of ordering an independent and public inquiry where ministers could be publicly questioned on its handling.

The vote echoes calls made in recent weeks by people in agriculture, as well as campaigners and politicians.

And the Morning News' outspoken editorial column stormed: "Rural affairs minister Margaret Beckett loftily announced last week that she believed there was little appetite in the countryside for a full public inquiry into the foot and mouth crisis.

"Today the Western Morning News invited her to reconsider that statement.

"The economic impact across the whole rural economy has been severe enough to push the Devon economy close to recession, with agriculture and the tourist industry worst affected, but many other businesses suffering as well.

"With this sort of public pressure for a full, open and above all public inquiry, how can the Prime Minister resist? After all, as Mrs Beckett assured MPs last week, the Government has got nothing to hide on this issue."

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