HAMPSHIRE'S footpaths are set to be reopened this weekend after months of foot-and-mouth enforced closure.

From tomorrow walkers will again be able to get on to the county's 7,000 footpaths that snake their way across the countryside.

About 90 per cent of the county's countryside sites will be open to visitors.

But 15 per cent of paths will have to remain closed for the time being after the county council consulted with concerned farmers.

Those paths that pass through farmland where there is a high risk of the public and livestock coming into close contact may still be closed.

Farmers who were concerned at the reopening of the paths have been in contact with the county council and those who have met Maff criteria have been allowed to keep nearby paths shut.

These will be marked with an official yellow and red No Entry sign (shown above).

Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council, Peter Robertson, said: "I would like to thank the public for their support of the actions we have taken to reduce the risk of foot-and-mouth disease, and hope the public will come and enjoy the countryside again.

"It is important that No Entry signs are heeded, even where it may not be possible to see livestock.

"Farmer's whose paths meet certain Maff criteria are allowed to keep those paths closed, so it may be that there is livestock further along the path, the path is used for moving animals or the path passes through a farm yard."

For further information on where the public can walk contact Hampshire County Council's Information Centres on 0800 028 0888 or visit www.hants.gov.uk.