FOOTPATHS in nine areas of Bolton have been re-opened following advice from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and in consultation with landowners.

Longsight Park - entire site including access from Thicketford Road past the farm next to Bradshaw Brook.

Bradshaw - Rigby Lane to Bradshaw Road and Bolton Road.

Eagley Brook Valley - From Hall i'th'Wood up to Dunscar via Eagley Mills.

Longworth Clough - From Longworth Road down past lower Critchley Fold.

Darcy Lever - Radcliffe Road South to Hall Lane (Moses Gate Country Park North).

Middle Hulton - Moss Hall Farm (all public rights of way over Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course are now open, but access leading to Top O'th' Height Farm on the West Side of Slack Fold Lane are still closed).

Blackshaw Brook - Breightmet (access still closed along the old dismantled railway to Crows Nest Pig Farm.

Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal - From Nob End east to the Bury border.

Ladyshore Road and from Nob End through Ringley to Giant Seat, Ringley Wood and Giant Seat Wood. Ladyshore Bridge is closed.

Cunningham Brook - Westhoughton.

Paths from Blackrod crossing open ground to the A6 and from the A6 to Blackrod Railway Station.

Paths from Wigan Golf Club through Arley Wood, Blackrod to the Leeds-Liverpool canal and the interconnecting canal towpath.

Initially Bolton Council took the step of closing the rural publics rights of way.

Recent scientific and veterinary advice allows much more of the countryside to be re-opened with negligible risk of spreading Foot and Mouth disease.

Guidance was issued by MAFF and footpaths are now being re-opened based on a risk assessment matrix provided via central government.

The following sites have remained open throughout: Harwood Vale, Bradford Park, Raikes Clough, Burnden Clough, Moses Gate Country Park South, Seven Acres, Firwood Fold, Melrose Basin, Ginger Fold and Leverhulme Park.

Executive member for environment councillor Guy Harkin said: "In re-opening land we would ask people to follow sensible precautions such as keeping dogs on leads, not going near livestock and adhering to any notices whether placed by the Authority or by private landowners."

The spread of foot and mouth disease has caused serious harm to both farmers and the tourist industry.

There are still no confirmed cases within the area, but due to an outbreak at Withnel, near Chorley, the North and North West of the area is classified as an infected area.

Guidance and updated information can be found on MAFF's websitehttp://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/guidancel.htmIf you require information regarding public rights of way within the Authority please telephone 01204 336488 or 336487 (public rights of way officer).

Information regarding the disease itself or animal movement licences can be obtained from Bolton Trading Standards 01204 336586.

Entwistle and Wayoh Reservoirs are in the Blackburn with Darwen Council Area and for information about footpaths in this area contact Joanne Croasdale on 01254 585406.

Most of Rivington Country Park is within the Chorley Council area and for information ring Elaine Knott 01257 515254.

Some of the land is also owned by United Utilities and you can contact Roy Rhodes on 01204 664305 for

further information.

For information about footpaths in Salford contact Ros Barraclough on 0161 793 3781 and in Wigan Paula Dunn on 01942 404309.