THE 500-strong herd of deer at Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, is at the centre of row over Government orders to reopen public rights of way across Studley Royal deer park.

Last week, the Rural Task Force ordered the roadway and footpaths in the deer park, which have been closed for several months to protect the herd from infection, to reopen by Friday.

Tiffany Hunt, the trust's director for Yorkshire, said they were very concerned about reopening the rights of way.

The trust is now trying to secure an extension to the closure by appealing to North Yorkshire County Council to put pressure on the Government to reconsider.

The trust says the council should use "whatever powers they have at their disposal" to retain the temporary closure status, while foot-and-mouth remains such a risk in the area.

Neighbouring county councillor, Heather Garnett, a former farmer, said: "It is regrettable that the Government has not responded positively to an earlier request from the National Trust to keep the park closed. This is a much-visited site and this valuable herd is being put at unnecessary risk.

"Closure of the park would not prevent public access to the rest of this World Heritage Site, such as Fountains Abbey," she said.

The deer park, which covers 360 acres, is home to sika, fallow and Manchurian deer.

The move has also angered local farmers and others with interests in the countryside.

One neighbouring resident said: "There was a very good reason for closing the footpaths and roadway through the deer park.

"So far, it has kept the disease at bay, although it seems to be creeping ever closer.