OFFICIALS in Redcar and Cleveland are hoping that the area will not become the next victim of the epidemic.

Fears have been heightened in the Teesside borough that the disease is creeping closer, following an outbreak at Ashes Farm, Ruswarp, near Whitby, North Yorkshire.

The area is surrounded by the disease on three sides - Stockton in the north, and Yorkshire to the south and west. The sea is the borough council's fourth boundary.

The case at Ruswarp has caused the council to think again about reopening some parts of the country parks and walkways, as the borough remains one of the few disease-free areas left in the North-East.

Councillors at yesterday's executive meeting were concerned at the propsect of re-opening while the disease edges closer and decided that the closures should remain in place.

Councillor Dave McLuckie said: "Three weeks ago, the disease was in Cumbria and Devon and we closed the footpaths. Now it is in Ruswarp, Whitby and Durham and we are thinking of opening them again. If we are going to take it seriously, we have to maintain the status quo."

The executive also agreed to close three laybys between Lockwood Beck and Scaling Dam, on the A171 Whitby to Guisborough road, which are picnic sites and have sheep nearby.

Following a request from farmers, there are plans for disinfectant mats at 11 locations.