MOTORISTS are putting farm animals at risk from foot and mouth disease by failing to close public gates, a North Yorkshire farmer claims.

Gill Smith, of Brown Howe Farm, Stape, near Pickering, says moor sheep are wandering into her fields putting her pedigree cattle at risk.

She said the situation is "horrendous".

But North York Moors National Park Authority bosses claim lack of cash rules out the possibility of installing a cattle grid.

The sheep, who walk freely on the moors, enter through a gate on the Moor Road from Stape to Egton and move onto nearby farmers' fields, said Mrs Smith.

"We are left feeling that there is no point in using all this disinfectant when all these sheep are free to wander into our field," she said.

Gill, who has bred prize-winning pedigree Simmental cattle for five years, added: "A cattle grid instead of the gate would solve the problem."

Peter Barfoot, head of advisory services at the park authority, says money is the main obstacle to installing more cattle grids.

"Five permanent grids have been installed in the last year and they cost between £15,000 and £20,000 each.

"I can understand the concerns of the residents there. It is an issue and it is unfortunate that the gate gets left open so much there.

Updated: 09:12 Thursday, September 06, 2001