THE LAST foot and mouth blanket closure in the Yorkshire Dales National Park has been lifted and many more footpaths and bridleways will be opened this weekend in the Skipton-Settle area.

However, all footpaths and bridleways that cross land where there has been a confirmed case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) or a contiguous cull in the area will remain closed.

"While there are increasing opportunities for people to walk, cycle or ride, to avoid confusion it is advisable to contact one of our National Park Centres who have the latest information on what routes have been opened and which ones remain closed."

From the weekend, the park is hoping to open a number of routes giving access to Gordale Scar, the foot of Malham Cove, Pen-y-ghent from Horton in Ribblesdale, another routes in and around the Malham, Grassington and Austwick areas.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has informed the park authority that good progress is being made disinfecting infected farms and in a separate development the Skipton Infected Area has also been lifted.

However, park officials are advising that people who keep or handle livestock should not walk on any of the opened footpaths and bridleways. They will also be telling the public not to approach, touch or feed livestock, not to leave food or litter anywhere and to thoroughly clean all boots and equipment after every outing.

For further information on the footpaths and bridleways that have been opened, please call at one of the seven national park centres at Sedbergh, Aysgarth Falls, Clapham, Grassington, Hawes, Malham and Reeth.