THERE are fresh fears over foot-and-mouth disease in Worcestershire after blood tests at a county farm proved inconclusive.

The tests are being carried out on livestock within the 3km rings around foot-and-mouth infected farms.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has confirmed that blood tests in the ring around Besford, near Pershore, have come back inconclusive and that further tests are being carried out.

The farm has not yet been identified.

The purpose of the tests was to check to see if the disease had been eradicated with the idea of lifting the exclusion zones in force since farms were confirmed with the infection.

Chairman of the Worcestershire NFU, Richard Jordan, said it was a blow to the farming community.

"It's bad news," he said.

"We've got to hope further tests come back negative.

"It's terribly depressing news whatever way you look at it, and it puts us back for at least another month.

"But at least it shows the vets are doing their jobs right. There's been so much suspicion when tests have come back negative when people think they should be positive.

"This shows that things are running as they should."

Worcestershire was hit by 22 cases of confirmed infections during the foot-and-mouth crisis. Home Farm, at Besford, was confirmed with the disease on Saturday, March 17.

FOOTPATHS will not be opened until Worcestershire County Council is satisfied that there is no threat of foot-and-mouth disease to county farms.

The Department for the Environment, Transport and Regions (DETR) yesterday said that more public rights of way could be re-opened in areas outside of 3km exclusion zones.

But the countryside services team at the county council says walkers and other users should not venture out too soon.

"Considering we've been a major outbreak area it could be a while before we can re-open the footpaths," said Ian Bamforth, head of countryside services.

"We're aware of the new guidelines.

"As before with any changes to the guidance, we'll look closely at the implications and work swiftly with the many different agencies involved to determine the best means of implementation.

"We can't give a date for re-opening as this is another step towards it and a few more steps will need to be taken before a date can be given."

Worcestershire County Council closed around 3,000 miles of countryside public rights of way at the beginning of March. Anyone found walking on closed paths could face a fine of up to £5,000.

Worcestershire Trading Standards is currently investigating several cases of people found walking on closed areas.

To date only parts of the Malvern Hills have been re-opened to the public.