FOOTPATH closures across Britain are being swept aside from tonight - with the exception of the counties still being hit by new foot-and-mouth cases.

Durham and North Yorkshire are among only eight counties in the country where closure orders will continue, to prevent spreading the disease from infected areas.

All other counties have been ordered to reopen their rights-of-way to the public, from midnight.

Authorities were told a month ago that they would only be exempt from the blanket reopening if they could prove such a move would risk spreading the disease.

The other counties where paths will remain closed are Cumbria, Devon, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Lancashire and Somerset.

Further lifting of closure orders will follow in a week, with phased reopening taking place gradually, in the areas which are currently exempt.

North Yorkshire's chief executive, Jeremy Walker, said last night: "We will continue to monitor the situation very closely indeed and will be prepared to close rights of way again, should there be a veterinary case for doing so.

"We urge all walkers and riders to observe the bio-security guidance which will be on all new signs. The key advice is to keep away from livestock."

The effect of the moves agreed with the Government mean that about 80 per cent of public rights of way in North Yorkshire should be open by the end of the month.