Walmgate Stray and part of Fulford Ings have been reopened by City of York Council as the authority reviews the restrictions imposed earlier in the foot and mouth outbreak.

The stray, which is one of the busiest areas of open space in the city, has been reopened because farm animals grazing there have now been moved to another area under a licence granted by MAFF.

Fulford Ings is now open between Landing Lane and St Oswald's Road.

Colin Rumford, the council's head of trading standards and regulatory services, said: "The person grazing animals on Walmgate Stray has now moved them from the area.

"These animals will not be returning in the near future so I am very pleased that walkers and other users of the stray can now return.

"I would like to thank people for their continued patience in this matter but I am sure most reasonable people will understand the need for precautionary measures."

Other restrictions were removed last week, though many paths across agricultural land will remain closed.

Areas now open include:

* Paths in urban areas, including the outlying villages;

* Walmgate Stray;

* Knavesmire;

* Hob Moor;

* Rawcliffe and Clifton Ings;

* Cycle paths (within the City of York area).

Maps showing the open paths and areas are available for inspection at the council's offices at 9, St Leonard's Place, and will also be available at libraries across the city by the end of the week.

All areas that are open will be subject to a code of practice published by the Countryside Agency.

This code will be displayed at the access points and includes a series of common sense precautions.

Members of the public are urged to comply with the code to ensure that paths and other areas of land can remain open.

Updated: 09:07 Wednesday, April 18, 2001