DURHAM County Council is reviving its guided walks programme, which was suspended after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the county.

A revised set of walks has been assembled, which will run until September.

Almost 60 walks are included, but because of foot-and-mouth restrictions, many of the routes are in towns and villages.

Most are graded easy and under four miles, but there are longer ones along country roads or coastal routes.

Geographer and local historian Vera Chapman will start the programme with a two-mile walk around Staindrop Green on June 3.

There are several evening and photographic walks, as well as two opportunities to go bat watching with Durham Bat Group in Barnard Castle and Escomb Church, near Bishop Auckland.

A council spokesman said: "County Durham is the fourth worst area in the country affected by foot-and-mouth disease so we are not able to offer the usual selection of guided walks. But we feel this specially drawn up set of walks taking in the history and architecture of our towns, villages and Durham City will have something for everyone. Hopefully, access to the countryside will have returned to normal by the time the next programme is produced."

Guided walk leaflets are available from local libraries, Tourist Information Offices and the Environment and Technical Services department at County Hall in Durham on 0191-383 4144.