THE North's countryside became a "no-go" area last night as the region acted to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

The outbreak sparked the closure of all cattle markets and abattoirs across the North-East and North Yorkshire for at least a week until further notice from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The Durham Group of the Ramblers' Association cancelled its walk planned around Northumberland countryside on Sunday.

Fox hunting across the region was abandoned for the week and Durham County Council cancelled all its guided countryside walks. Other effects include:

l Monday's race meeting at Newcastle was abandoned with the racecourse being inside the exclusion zone of a farm at nearby Ponteland.

l City Farm Byker, Newcastle, which attracts thousands of visitors a year, was closed yesterday until further notice.

l The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' nature reserves were closed across the country.

l Northumberland Wildlife Trust nature reserves at Big Waters, near Newcastle, East Cramlington Pond, near Seahouses and Whitelee on the Scottish border were closed to visitors.

l The National Trust is asking walkers to stay away from Hadrian's Wall and Allen Banks and Staward Gorge estates in Northumberland as a precautionary measure. The car parks at Steel Rigg, Housesteads and Allen Banks will be closed.

l Students following Agricultural and animal related courses at East Durham and Houghall Community College have been asked not to attend college for at least one week from Monday.

l The National Association of Farmers' Markets is recommending that markets plan-ned to take place during next week at least are postponed, particularly those close to restricted zones.

l The prestigious English Cross Country Championships, which should attract 6,000 athletes to the area, will be held at Maiden Castle in Durham as planned today.