SOMERSET is officially clear of foot and mouth disease after MAFF officials lifted restrictions imposed around the county's only confirmed case in Biddisham, near Axbridge.

The decision to give the county the all-clear was taken on Monday and the news has been welcomed by the county council.

Executive board member Cllr Jane Lock said: "Like many, we are delighted with the news that Somerset is now free of having an outbreak within our borders and the news will be very welcome for those in and around Biddisham that have been affected.

"However, it is too early to say that Somerset as a whole is free of the effects of foot and mouth with outbreaks spilling over into Exmoor and near Chard."

She said that, although the immediate movement restrictions on livestock had been lifted and other services restored to the previously infected area, many footpath closures remained in force.

She added: "As witnessed in recent weeks, the county council is doing all it can to re-open our footpath network where it is safe to do so.

"Each path is subject to risk assessment before we will open it and this process also involves consultation with district and parish councils, many of whom have made it clear that they are against opening up all of the paths.

"In balancing this, we are also conscious of the views of local residents and the needs of many rural businesses that are suffering from the fall-out from the effects of the disease and we will be seeing an increasing number of paths opening in forthcoming weeks."

The list of paths re-opened in West Somerset continues to grow, with restrictions lifted on some footpaths in Sampford Brett, Williton and Watchet in the last few days.

However, the advice remains the same - only use paths that are marked with a sign featuring a blue circle with a white exclamation mark stating that the path is open. In the absence of any sign, assume that the path is closed and keep away.