LANCASHIRE'S NFU chairman has thanked the public for its "amazing" support and patience during the foot and mouth crisis.

Ken Baxter said: "Farmers have had a horrendous year as a result of foot and mouth and I would like to thank the public for its support and understanding throughout the crisis, which has been amazing. Farmers have really appreciated all the messages of support that they have received.

"The closing of footpaths was a necessary requirement when the disease was at its height and the way that everyone adhered to the closure was fantastic.

"As a result of disease control restrictions some footpaths still remain closed and if you come across a 'footpath closed' please do not proceed. It is hoped that the remaining closed footpaths will be open by the spring."

He added: "I urge consumers where possible to support local farm shops and farmers' markets which will help local farmers and the rural economy greatly. Also, to look for the Little Red Tractor logo in the supermarket to ensure that you are buying British"

"Farmers face a challenging year ahead and we will be continuing to lobby the Government over the illegal imports of meat and plants into this country.

"Nobody wants to go through another year like 2001."

Last week, farming union bosses warned that despite the county being declared foot and mouth free, conditions are still not back to normal.

Even though the area has been declared officially free of the disease, farmers are still facing restrictions on their work. To transport livestock, farmers must first get a licence from their local trading standards office, and when animals are moved onto a farm, there is a 21-day movement stand-still in place.

The stand-still means that once an animal is taken onto a farm, no animals can leave that farm for 21 days.

Thomas Binns, vice chairman of the Lancashire NFU, who runs a farm in Clitheroe, said: "The Lancashire NFU has fought long and hard to speed up the process of getting restrictions lifted. But we are still under movement licensing regimes.

"There is still a bureaucratic process in place. Just because the area is foot and mouth free doesn't mean that everything Is back to normal. There is still a long way to go before things are normal.

"Lancashire will be a controlled area until the foreseeable future, until the rest of the country is recognised as foot and mouth free."

During the epidemic the county had more than 50 cases of foot and mouth, the last on June 28.

A spokesman for DEFRA said: "Until the country is foot and mouth free, certain restrictions will remain in place. Then the final decision will be made by the chief veterinary officer.

"But at the moment the country is not free from foot and mouth. Neighbouring county Cumbria is still at risk, and will be until they have had 90 days without a case. The last thing we want is to take an unnecessary risk."