REIGATE, England, Aug 7, 2007 (AFP) - The farmer hit by Britain's first foot and mouth outbreak since a 2001 epidemic spoke Tuesday of the 'nightmare' into which it has plunged him.

Roger Pride, whose cattle were culled after contracting foot and mouth last week, added that he believed recent flooding could be a key factor in infecting his animals.

Recalling when government vets confirmed the infection Friday night, he said: 'For a moment, we couldn't believe it. We were just completely shocked and devastated.

LONDON, Aug 6, 2007 (AFP) - The farmer at the centre of Britain's foot and mouth disease outbreak is distraught about his ordeal, he told a newspaper published Monday.

Derrick Pride, who runs Woolford's Farm at the village of Elstead in Surrey, south-west of London, said he was at a loss to explain how cattle in his herd caught the highly contagious virus.

'It is a real shock. I'm devastated,' the septuagenarian told The Guardian daily.