FAKE signs which falsely indicated footpaths in North Yorkshire were open have been given to the police for fingerprinting.
Yorkshire Dales national park officials were horrified when several signs were posted on rights of way in the Ingleborough area.
Rangers were called out to remove the signs, which appeared at the weekend when five foot-and-mouth cases were confirmed in the Craven district, including four in the national park.
Mr Jon Avison, head of park management, said: "This action is nothing short of deplorable and will only serve to confuse the public.
"The county council is taking this matter very seriously and the signs will be taken to the police for fingerprinting."
Rights of way that have been opened in Craven are marked with green signs with a code for walkers. They also have a blue North Yorkshire County Council logo in the bottom right corner.
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