A GROUP of model aircraft flyers have had their fund-raising grounded because of the closure of Pendle Hill due to foot and mouth.

An exclusion zone on the Pendle side of the M65 has meant a large area popular with walkers and local groups is out-of-bounds

Members of the Ribble Valley Model Soaring Association are demanding to know when they will be allowed to continue their activities and have claimed that walkers have gone into the exclusion zone without reprisals.

The model aeroplane group regularly uses Pendle Hill and is losing money.

Chairman Simon Hardman, said: "The last time we went up to the Nick o' Pendle was February and we would normally go up there every weekend and two or three times during the week.

"We understand the problems of foot and mouth and our members have respected the closure and haven't been up there but quite a few are getting agitated now.

"We have had fewer members this year and we have missed all of the nice summer weather. We usually run competitions quite regularly where people come from all over and pay a fee to take part, which helps fund the club.

"A couple of weeks ago I had a look up there and there were lots of people wandering round but I was told it was still out-of-bounds. There had been some confusion over whether all areas of the countryside had re-opened I think.

"It is difficult to police and they can't go up and kart all these people off but we have been told that it is obvious who we are when we are flying model aircraft so it would be easier to prosecute us.

"There are signs around the exclusion zone now, reinforcing the ban, which covers the Pendle side of the M65 right up to the bottom half of Cumbria but there hasn't been a foot and mouth case round here for a while now "Guidelines on the DEFRA website say that after one month in the clear there should be another assessment of the area and if there are no more cases some of the restrictions could be relaxed. So they should now be reassessing the situation here and shrinking the area down to be nearer the actual cases. We just want to know what is happening."

Lancashire County Council spokesman said: "We have remained in regular contact with this model aircraft society so they will be aware that the footpaths remain closed because of government advice.

"The government will review the situation in early September and we will follow their advice.

"But it is not our decision as to whether they can fly their aircraft. It is a decision for the land owners of which there are several."