REMAINING restrictions on access to the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are being lifted.

The area under the jurisdiction of Malvern Hills Conservators from British Camp to Raggedstone Hill will be open from today (Friday), together with the National Trust property on Midsummer Hill.

Castlemorton Common will reopen on Monday, but Chase End Hill, which is in Gloucestershire, will remain closed.

"I'm delighted that Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council have followed the advice of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and are re-opening the Hills," said Ian Rowat, director of Malvern Hills Conservators.

As Castlemorton Common is a working common, Mr Rowat has talked to farmers about ways of overcoming the problems of allowing both people and stock to return.

"Special grazing areas have been created for the welfare of animals which have been starved of grass during the foot and mouth epidemic," he said.