REPORTS of a deadly virus were rife, and police descended on a site in Oxfordshire after reports of a local outbreak.

This was not Covid-19 – this was bird flu in 2008.

With media reports warning the disease could kill millions of birds, and fears it could spread into a human pandemic, tensions were high.

On June 3, the H7 strain of the virus arrived in Oxfordshire for the first time when it was reported at Eastwood Farm at Shenington near Banbury.

Police and Defra officers descended, blocking the entrance to the site.

Our photographer Jon Lewis was on the scene to take this photograph.

Farmers Richard and Anthea Court eventually had to slaughter their entire 25,000-head flock.

Mrs Court said: "It has obviously been a difficult time for us and we would not wish it on our worst enemy."