NORTH Yorkshire's rambling routes are "England's worst" according to a walkers' organisation.

The Ramblers' Association claims the county's trails are still a long way from perfect, with 30,000 problems reported along its vast network.

The association today praised North Yorkshire County Council's recent efforts to improve its footpaths - but warned that unless it employed more staff to work on the network, it will lose out on vital tourism revenue.

Although footpaths in North Yorkshire have been improved over the past 12 months, the Countryside Agency estimates that the county's paths are still the worst in the country.

The Ramblers' Association, which celebrates Footpaths Week from Monday, said although a lot of work had already been done there were serious problems which needed to be addressed.

Local association member Keith Wadd said: "We want to say 'thank-you' to the county council for its work. There are now fewer missing bridges and wobbly stiles.

"However, the county council is still at the bottom of the league table in England, and its rights of way are still full of obstructions, so we are pressing North Yorkshire County Council to carry on the good work by employing more staff in 2003.

"The foot and mouth crisis clearly illustrated the economic and social benefits of an open and usable footpath network."

Jacquetta Fewster, RA spokeswoman, said there were currently only eight officers working on the footpaths in the county.

She said: "There are hundreds of miles of footpath per officer and they would have to be Superman to get everything done.

"Without more colleagues they are not going to be able to put their brilliant policies into effect.

"It is really important for everyone that this problem is sorted out."

Updated: 10:43 Saturday, June 22, 2002