A TOURIST chief has spoken of his frustration at the lack of progress in opening up the countryside to the public.

Despite claims that the foot-and-mouth epidemic is on the wane across most of the North-East, the bulk of footpaths remain closed.

According to the Countryside Agency's latest figures, just three per cent of paths are open in North Yorkshire, six per cent in the North York Moors National Park, and four per cent in County Durham.

Now, Northumbria Tourist Board chief executive Peter Sloyan has called for greater progress to be made in reopening the countryside.

He said: "It is the big frustration we have at the moment. We will not be able to sell bed-and-breakfast accommodation in rural areas until we get some of the restrictions lifted.

"As the disease seems to be reducing we should be making progress, but we're not."

He said they fully supported the risk assessment procedure which is being carried out before paths are allowed to open, ensuring they do not present a risk of spreading the disease.

However, it was vital for more paths to open before the Bank Holiday weekend, particularly if the weather held, he said.

Shauna Harrison, who runs the High Force Hotel, in Teesdale, said the footpath closure meant business there had fallen by 90 per cent so far.

She said: "We've just written the year off. Anything we get is a bonus and we will start again next year."

Sarah Pringle, countryside officer for the Countryside Agency, said they had given out grants of £125,000 for local authorities and national parks in the North-East to help reopen paths.

But she said: "As long as large chunks of the region are still infected areas there is not a great deal of room for manoeuvre."