THE wife of a lock keeper claims she was assaulted when she tried to stop a woman using the canal towpath outside her cottage near Bromsgrove, put out of bounds by the foot and mouth epidemic.

Barbara Troth, from Astwood Lane, Hanbury, was knocked to the floor when attempting to carry out a British Waterways ban on pedestrians using the towpath.

Offenders found guilty of flouting the law can be fined up to £3,000.

She has also suffered verbal abuse from walkers who insist on using the path near her canal-side home, despite warning notices that it is closed.

On both occasions, the last was on Easter Monday, she reported the incidents to police as outlined in a British Waterways directive but they failed to respond.

"They just didn't want to know," she said.

Barbara believes the "countryside is open" message put out by the Government is confusing especially as the canals are open while some towpaths are closed.

The Worcester and Birmingham canal runs through farmland which has seen several outbreaks of the disease.

A British Waterways spokeswoman said some towpaths are open but notices are clearly displayed on those which are closed.

For up-to-the minute information on access to towpaths ring 01564 784634 or log on to www.britishwaterways.co.uk

Worcester police could not be contacted as we went to press.