A number of cattle on an Aberdeenshire farm will be destroyed after a case of mad cow disease was identified, the first in Britain since 2015.

A movement ban has been put on the estate in Huntley, 40 miles from Aberdeen, to prevent the disease spreading further, after one dead cow was diagnosed during routine testing.

The Scottish Government said no infected meat has entered the food chain but said it had initiated its response plan and said an investigation has been launched to find out how the animal became infected. It is the first case in Scotland since 2009.

North east MSP Peter Chapman, of the Scottish Conservatives, described the infection as "very concerning".

“We need to know all about the animal, where it's been, where its offspring are, and offer as many reassurances as we possibly can that this is a one-off instance."

Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said the government was working closely with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to find out how the cow became infected.

“I would urge any farmer who has concerns to immediately seek veterinary advice,” she said.

A Whitehall source told The Telegraph that it is believed to be an isolated case and that rigorous testing of livestock at abattoirs meant that the "food chain is incredibly well protected", adding that there are "incredibly robust inspection measures in place".