WITH the start of the grouse shooting season imminent, measures were taken this week to avoid confusion over the status of moorland footpaths in parts of Teesdale.

Moorlands in the south-west and west of the district have been closed to the public, following advice from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as a precaution against the spread of foot-and-mouth disease from neighbouring Cumbria.

However, Durham County Council felt Defra's decision to allow shooting on land which only days previously it said should remain closed to the public could create confusion about who was allowed on the land and where they could go.

Following talks with the divisional veterinary manager to clarify the apparent anomaly, it was agreed that where shooting parties were licensed, footpaths would be opened up. But the county council's director of environment and technical services, Mr Chris Tunstall, said there still appeared to be concern over which paths were shut and which were likely to be opened to the public.

"As is it now apparent that most of the moorland owners will be seeking licences to shoot, the council has agreed to open most of the footpaths in Teesdale, except those that cross or lead to infected premises or exclusion zones between Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland," he added.

All the paths leading into Cumbria will remain closed because of the number of new cases still occurring in the Penrith area, but the Tees Valley railway path and the car park at Cow Green will be re-opened.

On Wednesday the removal of "Footpath closed" signs began, replacing them with "Path open" signs, which include guidance on how to avoid spreading foot-and-mouth. The changeover should be complete by tomorrow.

Detailed maps about the status of footpaths on the moorlands will be provided to tourist information centres in Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale, with information on the county council's web site at www.durham.gov.uk being constantly updated. The council's footpaths helpline, 0191 383 3452, can also advise on whether footpaths are open or closed.

Meanwhile, amid tight bio-security, shooting looks set to go ahead next week in the dale. Mr Lindsay Waddell, chairman of the moorland branch of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation, said: "All being well, we will be shooting. We are getting ready for our normal season and are expecting our licence to be issued any day."

He did not mind the tight security policy that would be in operation.

"We will be pressure washing vehicles and disinfecting people every single day. Although it is an added complication, and something that the average walker will not have to do, we would not want to be held responsible for bringing anything to the area after having survived for so long," he added.

Gamekeeper Mr Andrew Dent said they planned to start shooting as soon as possible at Holwick, but with the land bordering Cumbria and the current rumblings there, he did not know for how long.