NATURE lovers fed-up with the continued closure of areas of Wyre Forest due to foot and mouth restrictions have been told by the district council: "Bear with us".

Head of cultural, leisure and commercial services Andrew Dickens said the council had still not been given a date by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the reopening of Spennells Valley Nature Reserve in Kidderminster.

The reserve is closed because of its proximity to Sparum Farm on Stanklyn Lane, where a huge pyre was lit to dispose of infected carcasses, and Mr Dickens said it was still one of the main problem areas for warning signs being ripped down.

It joins Bewdley's Gasworks Meadow as a place where barriers and signs are routinely ignored by walkers.

Habberley Valley Nature Reserve was opened to cars in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, although footpaths in the reserve are still closed.

Mr Dickens said the situation at Habberley Valley was confusing and "clearer signage" had been put up to explain the situation.

"We're asking people - if you see a sign, respect it, don't rip it down, don't assume it's out of date," Mr Dickens said.

"The message to frustrated people is 'bear with us'. We're opening what we can and we're keeping areas closed for good reason."