THE National Trust is at the centre of a row after public vehicle access to one of its properties remains due to fears of spreading foot-and-mouth.

The trust, which manages Studley Royal Deer Park, Ripon, North Yorkshire, said the parkland was still in an infected area.

It expects restrictions to be lifted soon by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

But Ripon campaigner Barbara Fisher said the trust's stance was damaging its relationship with local residents, who were the main users of the Studley entrance.

She also said Ripon City Council and Boroughbridge Town Council were backing calls to reopen the access.

A Defra official said if it was approached by the trust it would be prepared to carry out a risk assessment.