Organisers of a popular north Ceredigion show have decided not to insist on participating horses being vaccinated despite a widening UK outbreak of equine flu.

Llanilar Show, due to be held on Saturday, 10 August, will leave vaccinations “at participant’s discretion".

While Ceredigion has yet to see a confirmed case of Equine Flu – which spreads easily and rapidly – there had been 202 confirmed cases in the UK up to this week compared to just three last year.

Agricultural shows in Wales have slapped bans on unvaccinated horses to halt the spread of the virus, with both Merioneth County Show and Llanfyllin Show following the lead set by the Royal Welsh Show and insisting on vaccination.

Llanilar Show, however, have said it will not insist on vaccinations, but have said that tighter measures may be introduced if cases are confirmed in the area before the show.

A spokesperson for the show said: “Following much discussion and consideration at both committee level and liaison with neighbouring shows within the north of Ceredigion, we at Llanilar have decided that equine flu vaccinations will be at participant’s discretion.

“To date, there have been no confirmed cases of equine flu in this area, however, should this status change, tighter measures relating to vaccinations maybe introduced.”

• The committee of Llangurig Show on 10 August have taken the decision to allow only properly vaccinated horses/ponies to enter the show ground.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday