The cattle have been enjoying summer grazing on Whittlesey washes, but plans to bring them in, before rain turns the floodplains into an inhospitable landscape, have been hit by restrictions on the movement of livestock.

Now an appeal is being made to the Government for permission to move the herds.

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If it is not successful, the cows could be a major casualty of an alert sparked by the discovery of an infected ram at Fitzwilliam Farm on the Milton Estates, near Bretton, Peterborough.

Already, grass at the nature reserve near Whittlesey has stopped growing, and because of the first frosts of the year, there is nowhere dry for the animals to lay.

In a few days, the cattle were due to return to farms scattered across Cambridgeshire, including Ramsey, Wisbech, Newborough and Bassingbourn.

However, the 20km control zone, which has been thrown around Peterborough to stop the disease from spreading, will prevent this.

Warden of the Nene Washes Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reserve Charlie Kitchin said: "The cattle are wintered on their home farms, and in a week's time they are due to go home, but they can't be moved."

As the Nene Washes flood in winter when rain levels reach more than 3ins, there are fears the animals could drown.

He said: "We came close to flooding the other night, when we had an inch of rain.

"If the place floods, then what are we to do? stage an emergency evacuation and risk letting them into the protection zone, or let them drown?"

There are also fears over 200 cows that are due to have calves in late November or early December.

Normally, they need a break from grazing before giving birth.

Now officials at the RSPB are making an urgent appeal to the Government for a special licence to move the animals.

In the meantime, Mr Kitchin fears the cattle could become infected while in the control zone.

He said: "We certainly do not want the disease to spread to us, as it will have devastating affects.

"The animals are being checked on a daily basis for any of the seven symptoms, but, at the moment, we are quite happy that there are no suspected animals among the herd."