Farmers in Ryedale have been illegally posting "no entry" signs on footpaths open to the public during the foot and mouth crisis.

Trading Standards officers today warned the farmers, who have not been named, that they face a £5,000 fine if they try to prevent walkers using the paths.

The warning won the support of the North Yorkshire Rambling Association - but local farmers leaders condemned the fines threat as heavy-handed.

Robin Mair, from the foot and mouth information desk at North Yorkshire County Council, said there had been around six incidents in the last week.

"A lot of footpaths have been reopened and these are indicated with a green notice at the entrance to the path," he said.

"Some farmers in the Malton area have tried to prevent walkers using these paths by replacing the green signs with red notices declaring the footpaths closed.

"We would like to remind farmers that it is an offence to put up a sign without proper authority.

"Those found guilty of doing so could face a fine of up to £5,000."

Mr Mair said there had been no fines issued but investigations were being carried out.

"Farmers are allowed to apply for exemptions which means some footpaths will remain closed," he said.

"Closed paths will be indicated by yellow notices - we have replaced the red signs.

"I would like to remind people using these paths that they must abide by the rules stated on each notice - one of the most important of these is keeping dogs on a leash."

Robert Hicks, chairman of the Malton branch of the NFU, said using a fine was heavy-handed.

"Farmers are stressed about the current situation and they don't want people coming anywhere near their livestock," he said.

"They have had this hanging over them and it is understandable some have reacted in this way.

"It does seem odd that when there was no outbreaks in North Yorkshire all the footpaths were closed.

"Now we have the disease lapping at our doorsteps and they have decided to open most of them up."

But Stuart Pudney, head of trading standards and regulatory services, said: "Walkers have the right to use paths that are open.

"This sort of thing merely causes confusion and increases friction between walkers and farmers."

David Nunns, secretary of the Ramblers Association of North Yorkshire, said he agreed with the course of action trading standards were taking.

"We are advising members that using reopened footpaths is fine as long as they abide by the rules set out in the notices which have been erected," he said.

Updated: 08:31 Wednesday, June 27, 2001