A FARMER has been left fearing for her sheep after areas of the Wyre Forest were controversially re-opened in time for Easter.

The Forestry Commission said the decision to reopen the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre at Callow Hill and the three most popular walks had followed foot and mouth risk assessments and consultation with farmers.

The forest welcomed visitors over the Easter weekend - despite Wyre Forest District Council passing an emergency motion at a full meeting urging the commission not to go ahead with the plans until the crisis had subsided.

The move angered Susan Peters, of Notchcut Farm, Rock, half a mile from the forest, which is home to about 140 valuable sheep.

She has been keeping her flock, which includes prize-winning show sheep from the Soay and Lleyn breeds, in barns since the start of the crisis.

She says she has been doing everything possible to avoid the risk of her farm becoming infected, including spending £200 on disinfectant.

Mrs Peters now fears the disease could be brought to the forest by visitors from across the Midlands, and spread by deer.

The emergency motion was tabled by Reg Johnstone, district councillor for Rock and Ribbesford, who has constituents with farmland near the forest.

The forest re-opened under strict instructions that visitors stay on marked trails, dogs were kept on leads and horses stayed away.

Disinfectant foot mats were also provided.

But Mrs Peters saw dozens of cars parked at the visitor centre over the Easter weekend and was worried the commission could not ensure tourists followed the guidelines.

Area forester Richard Boles warned anyone not keeping dogs on leads could face prosecution, and the public could be excluded from the forest again if they did not stick to the rules.

Mrs Peters said: "I've been breeding these sheep for 12 years. I've been doing everything I can but if we get an outbreak it will be too late to do anything else."