ONLY one footpath in the Hartlepool area remains closed following the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

People are now free to walk the 60 miles of walkways and bridleways around Hartlepool borough, unlike many other areas of the country.

The only path that remains closed is one which runs past the Centura Foods Factory at Greatham to the Tees Road, but it is hoped the footpath will reopen in the near future.

Cain Spence, countryside officer with Hartlepool council, said: "Foot-and-mouth disease still exists throughout the country but fortunately in Hartlepool we have been largely unaffected.

"With the exception of one footpath the borough's network of walkways is now open."

However, he warned that people should stick to the paths and use disinfectant mats where provided.

The countryside agency has issued guidelines in the wake of the paths reopening, which state that people should not go on farmland if they have handled livestock in the previous seven days. They should avoid cattle and sheep while walking and keep dogs on leads .

It has also asked that if people step in dung they should remove it from their shoes before leaving that field, and that the public keep off any closed footpaths.