THE northern part of Bury, taking in Hawkshaw, Holcombe and part of Ramsbottom, has had its foot and mouth "infected area" status lifted.

Although walkers have been allowed back on to local footpaths for several weeks now, the change in status will mean that some of the more stringent restrictions on farming activity will now also be lifted.

A new system of licensed animal movements will be in place from Monday, with environmental services at Textile Hall in Bury acting as a one-stop-shop for farmers applying for movement licences.

However, as previously anyone walking or riding on public rights of way across agricultural land containing livestock is being urged to take precautions.

The precautions are: do not go on to farmland if you have handled livestock in the last seven days; avoid contact with farm animals and keep dogs on a lead where livestock are present; if you step in dung, remove it before you leave that field; do not go on paths identified with a "closed" notice.