MOTORCYCLISTS who are planning an Easter ride through the Yorkshire Dales have been urged to stay on their guard.

Police are warning bikers that they could be risking injury by riding at high speed and not taking foot-and-mouth precautions into account.

Councils have set up disinfectant mats to prevent the spread of the disease, and police fear riders coming across the wooden structures in the road could be taken by surprise.

Sergeant John Lumbard, of North Yorkshire Police, said yesterday: "The concern we have is that the Easter weekend is the time when motorcyclists get their bikes out and go for a ride in the dales.

"They may not appreciate just how solid these ramps are and could hit them at high speed.

"Our message is that, if you are riding in the dales, pay attention because these disinfectant ramps are there and you do not really want to be going over them at more than 5mph."