Farmers warned as bombs injure two

A farmer and an estate agency worker were injured in separate letter bomb attacks yesterday that appeared to be aimed at the animal trade.

A farmer and an estate agency worker were injured in separate letter bomb attacks yesterday that appeared to be aimed at the animal trade.

Police in North Yorkshire warned anyone connected with the livestock industry to be on their guard for further devices after a series of postal bomb attacks in the past three weeks.

The 58-year-old farmer from Ripon was recovering last night from facial injuries after a nail bomb, concealed in a small package, exploded as he opened his morning mail.

In the second incident, a female worker at an estate agents in Patrington, East Yorkshire, which deals with livestock auctions, was injured when she opened a device in a small padded envelope. The woman, who works for the Frank Hill & Sons estate agency, underwent hospital treatment after suffering eye and facial injuries.

Peter Walker, the Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, said: "I am extremely concerned that these devices are being sent in a totally indiscriminate manner. Mem-bers of the farming and agricultural communities should exercise caution when dealing with their mail."

Detectives are investigating whether the latest bombs are connected with two other recent incidents in which devices were sent to companies connected to agriculture.