MOST of the footpaths in Trafford have been reopened after more than two months of closure due to foot and mouth disease.

Restrictions have been lifted on all of the borough's canal towpaths and the Trans-Pennine Way is now open to walkers.

Unfenced paths which run through fields with livestock will remain closed but they will be reviewed and reopened as soon as possible.

Dunham Massey Park has also reopened its gates enforcing a strict disinfectant regime.

An eight foot fence has been built around 200 acres ensuring that the park's deer do not come into direct contact with the public.

Iain Veitch, Trafford's Environmental Health Manager, said: "I must thank all the local people who have co-operated by not walking on the closed footpaths. Their restraint has played a part in the Trafford area remaining disease-free so far.

"Their continued co-operation in keeping off the last few closed paths will also ensure that we are unlikely to have any problems in the future. The remaining few paths will be opened as soon as it is safe to do so."

With restrictions being lifted, many Trafford residents remain concerned about the welfare of the borough's animals.

Paul Pickford works at Westfield Farm Animal Sanctuary and he is worried about the footpaths next to the sanctuary being reopened.

Paul said: "We've been fighting to keep foot and mouth disease out of Trafford for more than two months and now the council has decided to reopen all the footpaths.

"It seems more sensible to only open the paths where there are no animals. We are risking bringing the infection into the borough by relaxing these restrictions."

He added: "I want to ask people not to go near the cows, sheep and pigs at the sanctuary, or anywhere else in Trafford, to prevent foot and mouth disease entering the borough."