A park reopened yesterday, after being off limits because of foot-and-mouth.

Captain Cook and the Mayor of Middlesbrough, councillor Patricia Walker, were among those who turned up to watch the gates reopen at Stewart Park.

Middlesbrough Borough Council decided to end the park's four-month closure after taking advice from vets and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum and the caf will open today.

Parks manager Jim Moody said: "We are delighted to be open again, but to ensure the continued welfare of the animals, we have arranged several precautionary measures."

Among the steps that have been taken are the placing of disinfectant mats at all entrances and close to the Pets Corner, and extra signs giving advice from vets.

Anyone who keeps or handles farm animals is asked to keep out of the park.

Mr Moody said: "Staff are aware of the symptoms of the disease and will, of course, remain vigilant. We will close the park if, at a later date, any local outbreaks are confirmed by the Ministry of Agriculture."

Newham Grange Leisure Farm, in Coulby Newham, Teesside, will remain closed for the duration of the foot-and-mouth crisis, as it is considered impractical to stop people from going near the animals there.

The North-East's leading animal welfare centre, at Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, has been forced to close to the public after a rash of foot-and-mouth cases. The RSPCA centre is now only admitting emergency cases brought in by inspectors.