MOVES to reopen paths in unaffected areas have been welcomed by environmentalists.

Paths in Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's area have been closed since the crisis began, although the nearest the disease has struck has been in Stockton and Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire.

Now, the government is recommending thatpaths and bridleways in unaffected areas should be reopened, to the delight of the Teesside Green Party.

Spokesman Peter Goodwin said he believed it would now be impossible for the local authority to keep up its hard-line footpath closure policy.

"In places like this, where the risk of spreading the disease is negligible, it is better to reopen the paths.

"So far, the council executive has ignored the advice of the government and its own officers. They say that if they open the safe paths, it will be 'sending the wrong signal'.

"That argument just does not hold water - it simply sends the signal that the council executive does not do much walking or cycling, and is just plain unreasonable."

Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland council, said yesterday that his route to his favourite pub had been disrupted because of the closure of a footpath and said the council would be looking to reopen some of its paths, based on a proper risk assessment.

"We have got to be conscious of farmers' fears, but if the incidence of foot-and-mouth decreases, we will be wanting to look at reopening the paths," said Coun Walsh.