BOLTON council food inspectors have put all other work on hold while they join the drive to stop BSE-infected meat being imported.

All 10 of the town's inspectors have rescheduled routine inspections to make sure all beef being sold in the town is from cattle under 30 months old.

Nine European countries, including Germany and France, have now reported cases of BSE which is thought to lead to the human form, CJD.

And the Government's Food Standards Agency has ordered a clampdown on the sale of all beef from cattle older than two-and-a-half years. Research has shown that BSE does not normally develop in cattle under this age.

Bolton inspectors will systematically check documents accompanying all imported meet at manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and butchers to ensure that it complies with guidelines.

In cases where the meat's age cannot be determined it could be seized and further legal proceedings launched against whoever is in possession of it.

A council spokesman said: "We take our role protecting the public from possible food-borne health risks very seriously.

"We have diverted all our available food inspection resources into checking out imported beef."