AFTER a month of disruption and dismay, spring has finally brought some sunshine to those areas closed off to the public in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

A new set of guidelines published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food aims to get as many businesses, tourist sites and public rights-of-way as possible reopened to the public, without risking further spread of the disease.

Waverley Borough Council has said that almost all sites in the borough will be open to the public, including Shepherd's Hill Common in Haslemere, Crooksbury Hill and Chiddingfold Green.

But parts of Frensham and the Downs link, the old disused railway line that runs from Shoreham to Guildford, will remain closed.

The National Trust this week announced the phased opening in England and Wales of around 160 properties. The first site to open in the West Weald area was Winkworth Arboretum, which opened its doors to the public on Sunday and Petworth House is set to follow suit tomorrow (Saturday).

Some of the trust's West Weald countryside sites will also be reopening, but parts of Hindhead Common, the Devil's Punch Bowl and other areas where there are grazing animals, will remain closed.

Buffer zones will be in place to prevent walkers from straying in to closed-off areas.

Other sites reopening are Weydown Common, Milford Common, Nutcombe Valley, Polecat, Golden Valley, Waggoners Wells, Marley Common, Frensham Little Pond and Grayswood Common.

But in all those areas restrictions will remain in place to prevent walkers encroaching on to adjacent farmland.

The trust is asking visitors to ensure that they observe all additional restrictions and keep dogs on a lead.

Surrey County Council's blanket closure of 2,000 miles of public rights-of-way was lifted last Friday, but trading standards officers have obtained permission from MAFF to keep paths closed where they cross farmland.

Across the border, West Sussex County Council has launched a major advertising campaign to encourage local people to support attractions in the county that are open over the Easter period.

A number of places in West Sussex will be reopening including the Cowdray Golf Club, Hollycombe Steam Collection, Lurgashall Winery Shop and Petworth Cottage Museum.

But the county council is still opposed to opening up public-rights-of-way and bridleways, saying that it would take all the precautions necessary to reduce the risk of the disease appearing in the county.

National Farmers' Union SE regional director Shaun Leavey has also urged caution.

"The risks of spreading foot-and-mouth by reopening paths vary by location, but the NFU is adamant that there must not be any blanket decisions," he said.

"Every individual right-of-way should undergo a robust risk assessment before reopening is countenanced and full account must be taken of farmers' views."

But the Surrey Area Ramblers' Association, which has had to call off or rearrange many walks during the crisis, is calling on local authorities to act immediately on the new MAFF guidelines .

Elsewhere in The Herald region, the Headley Ringcraft Association will be restarting dog-training classes on April 11.

Secretary Jackie Reid said: "We hope we are now able to continue our main task of training dogs for the show ring. This is especially important as we hope to prepare some of our members for Crufts at the end of May."

Also back in business is the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton, which reopened on Sunday after a period of closure to protect the livestock on its 50-acre site.

p Local MP Virginia Bottomley has written to Minister of the Environment Michael Meacher to see if any assistance is available for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis. "I am also investigating whether they can receive help with their business rates."

Businesses in the Haslemere area have given mixed reports as to how they have been affected by the crisis.

Graham Heath, landlord of the Red Lion pub in Fernhurst said he had noticed a marked difference.

"We used to have a lot of walkers in here, but we don't get those any more," Mr Heath said. "Hopefully they will return "

Haslemere hotels have not reported any change so far. Brian Dormer of the Lythe Hill Hotel said: "Some customers have expressed concern, but as Surrey has not been affected by foot-and-mouth, they tend to have worried less."