COUNTRYSIDE footpaths could soon be opened up to the public as Worcestershire moves into its 22nd foot-and-mouth-free day.

Officers working for Worcestershire County Council are visiting footpaths in areas considered to be low risk to consider re-opening them to the public.

All rural rights of way were sealed off at the beginning of March.

People found walking on closed stretches were warned they could be fined up to £5,000.

"We're working towards opening as many as we can," said Chris Tibble of the council's countryside services department.

"We're working closely with landowners with regards to livestock movements, so no footpaths are open near to fields where livestock could be moved.

"The process will be slow as each footpath has to be looked at individually.

"It will take a long time and people will have to be quite patient with us."

There are 2,500 miles of public rights of way under the jurisdiction of the county council.

Now the authority is ready to open woodland to the public, but where there is a risk of coming into contact with livestock, land will remain closed.

Footpaths that have been cleared will be signposted confirming this.

Stretches of the Malvern Hills, north of the Wyche Cutting, have been open for two weeks following risk assessments.

But southern paths still remain closed.

The Worcester Rambling Club and other walking groups have been on city walks as a way of keeping active during the foot-and-mouth crisis. All urban rights of way have remained open throughout the crisis.

"We've been to Bath and next month we're going to Oxford," said Brian Peplow, president of the Worcester Rambling Club.

"But we'd be delighted if the council were able to open some of the country footpaths."