ALL New Forest car parks still closed because of foot-and-mouth restrictions are set to be reopened tomorrow.

Almost 100 of the 140 car parks have been brought back into use at intervals since Easter.

But with continuing concerns over areas where cattle are more likely to be grazing, the Forestry Commission has held back until this week.

But it was quick to point out that the strict dog control rules, insisting that they must be kept on leads at all times, will stay in force.

After consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the commission has warned that people's dogs coming face-to-face with cattle could cause a new flare-up of the disease.

Lyndhurst-based communications manager Helen Wood said: "We must stay alert to the threat posed by people's pets. It is vital that they are kept away from livestock to prevent any spread of the devastating foot-and-mouth virus.

"A natural reaction between dogs and cattle when they meet is to square up to each other nose to nose. It is a perfect transmission route for the disease.

"For the time being people must keep their dogs on a short lead, under tight control and away from livestock in the Forest."

She added that the short lead rule would stay in force until government experts declared otherwise.