TOP tourist attraction Little Moreton Hall is throwing open its doors to the public once again after being shut for a month.

The National Trust property did not open as scheduled at the end of March due to the foot and mouth crisis.

The hall shares a driveway with a farm, and trust bosses decided it should remain shut to prevent the possible spread of the virus.

However a month on the hall has reopened as the foot and mouth crisis has begun to ease and after discussions with neighbouring Little Moreton Hall Farm.

The hall was due to open on Wednesday, where mats doused in disinfectant have been introduced as cars enter the site and people walk from the car park to the hall.

The driveway gate will be closed to all but hall and farm deliveries, and a footpath across adjacent farmland to the canal is to remain shut.

In addition an electric fence has been installed on the farmland 12 metres from the path to prevent possible contact between visitors and calves.

"We normally have between eight and nine thousand visitors in April, and have lost about 20 per cent of our annual income," said hall manager Dean Thomas.

"Members of the public have understood why we've been closed, and we're offering them a warm welcome back this week."