RAMBLERS are calling for Government action after a new report branded the region's footpaths as some of the least accessible in the country.

The Government's own Countryside Agency today published its Rights of Way Condition Survey, which revealed that many footpaths are still blighted by poor access and lack of signposting.

The survey showed that walkers were encountering the same problems as they did at the time of a 1994 survey.

As ramblers finally enjoyed getting back to paths rendered out of bounds for much of the year by foot-and-mouth restrictions, the report showed up wide variations in accessibility and ease of use across the region.

Nationally, 67.1 per cent of footpaths are signposted, but in Northumberland just over half are signposted compared with 54.4 per cent in Durham, Cleveland and Tyne and Wear, and 62 per cent in North Yorkshire.

In Northumberland, only 40 per cent were judged easy or possible to follow, with 98 per cent in North Yorkshire and 100 per cent in Durham, Cleveland and Tyne and Wear.

Amanda Earnshaw, senior countryside officer in the North-East for the Countryside Agency, said: "The widespread closures caused by foot-and-mouth highlighted just how important footpaths and bridleways are to people who live in rural areas and to those who enjoy visiting the countryside.

"Although progress has been made in some parts of the North-East, we are disappointed by these findings."

The Countryside Agency said part of the reason the North-East has some of the worst footpaths in the country is because many of them are in remote spots and attract fewer walkers.

It said a new approach was needed to tackle the problem, particularly after its decision last year to wind down its direct grant aid programme to local authorities.

The agency said it welcomed a new duty placed on highways authorities by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to produce rights of way improvement plans for the next five years.

Tony Jones, northern area footpaths secretary for the Ramblers' Association, said: "This survey is an improvement on 1994, but it is still pretty disappointing.

"The county councils have not got enough staff, and it really needs Government action to recognise that the countryside is important.

"The walking aspect of tourism is a most important national heritage."