COUNTRYSIDE sites and footpaths around Bordon are starting to reopen in line with new government guidelines for the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The National Trust has reopened 20 of its West Weald countryside sites and Hampshire County Council has put into motion plans to reopen some of its countryside areas by the end of this week.

A meeting on Monday between representatives of the county and district councils, MAFF, the NFU and the Forestry Commission started off the phased reopening of sites throughout the county.

Hampshire County Council has been sending out risk assessment forms to determine which sites pose low risk of spreading foot-and-mouth.

HCC leader Ken Thornber said: "It is a positive step and one which we will be monitoring and reviewing every step of the way".

Areas being reopened will have their "closed" signs replaced by a code of conduct for walkers.

Mr Thornber said: "I very much hope that Hampshire residents will observe the code of conduct guidelines and continue to behave in a responsible and trustworthy way."

From today (Friday) the National Trust has reopened a number of its sites including Ludshott Common and Frensham Little Pond.

Trust property manager for the West Weald Crispin Scott said: "Some of the trust's countryside sites in the area will reopen where there are no grazing animals.

"However, on many of these sites there will be buffer zones between the trust's land and its neighbours, and restrictions will remain in place to prevent people from encroachment onto adjacent farmland.

"The trust is asking visitors to ensure that they observe all additional restrictions on these sites, and to keep dogs on leads at all times."

Jubilee Park, parts of the Deadwater Valley Trust and Alexandra Park have been reopened by Whitehill Town Council, with dog walkers warned to keep dogs on leads.

People walking in these areas are being told to stick to footpaths and warned that if dogs are seen off their leads, the areas could be closed again.

Paths will not be opened if they are close to fields where sheep or cows are grazing.

The Army has taken a similar line with the restrictions on some of the footpaths on its land being lifted.

A spokesman told The Herald: "We have reopened some of the footpaths along the ranges which members of the public can use, but we would ask them to keep their dogs on the lead and not to take any food onto the ranges whatsoever."

However, the Army will not be using the ranges because its training areas continue to be off-limits because of their proximity to farmland.

Whitehill town councillor Ian Dowdle was pleased that the restrictions were being slowly lifted and praised local people for abiding by them in recent weeks.

He said: "Members of the public have behaved in a very responsible manner during the current crisis"