ALMOST all of the 110-mile stretch of the Cleveland Way has re-opened this week.

The popular walk has been closed since the start of the foot-and-mouth crisis in February. But with recent risk assessments proving negative, most of the walk is now available again.

Walkers will be welcomed in the section between Helmsley and Sutton Bank. The section from Sutton Bank to Square Corner is awaiting the results of a Defra risk assessment but it is expected this will be through by next week.

From there, the trail to Scarth Nick, which includes Osmotherley, re-opened on Wednesday and from Square Nick to Runswick Bay, one of the longest stretches, has re-opened. Runswick Bay to Sandsend remains closed.

Mr Malcolm Hodgson, national trail officer for the Cleveland Way, said: "For those who want to walk the full length, this is possible by taking a taxi ride or bus between the closed sections. This is absolutely delightful news. The crisis has been devastating for walkers and many businesses along the route," he said.

"If you intend visiting the area and are unsure about the route, please check with the North York Moors national park."

News of the re-opening of the trail has been met with great relief by many businesses along the route, none more so than the Chequers tea rooms at Osmotherley.

Mrs Emma Macdonald, who with her husband, Andrew, took over the tea rooms when Mr Macdonald's mother retired in August, said: "This really is wonderful news. As a family, we have suffered three-fold.

"The farm Andrew runs behind the tea rooms was hit badly by the crisis and then the tea rooms lost virtually all its custom with no walkers or cyclists or even motorists. To top it all, there was then an eight-week stretch of roadworks, which created a hazard. We can't wait to welcome people back again.