THE foot and mouth outbreak is threatening the future of the Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary.

The epidemic means that the sanctuary has had to close its doors to the public, its main source of income, for the first time, plunging the centre into a financial crisis.

Now the Edenfield-based charity has launched a desperate appeal for donations to help feed the sanctuary's 400 animals.

Chairman Muriel Bird said: "Due to the quarantine restrictions, no visitors are allowed on to the site and no animals will be accepted until the crisis is over.

"This obviously has had a devastating affect on the sanctuary's funds as we still have to feed the 400 animals on site."

She is appealing for cash donations to be sent by post.

"All donations will be used for the feeding and care of our animals while the quarantine is in effect," she said.

There is also a shortage of bedding and old blankets are urgently needed. People donating blankets can take them to the sanctuary's front gate and alert staff by sounding a car horn. But Bleakholt stress it is important that no-one passes the quarantine barriers.

Postal donations should be sent to Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, Bury, Lancs, BLO 0RX.

Elsewhere in the borough, more than 200 footpaths, rights of way and bridleways remain shut in a bid to prevent the foot and mouth outbreak from spreading.

No cases have yet been found in the Bury area.

This week, several more access routes to farms and agricultural land were closed.

A Bury Council spokesman said: "We've had several farmers and landowners on to us asking for signs which they can put up."

However, despite the "no go" notices, it seems that some determined walkers are ignoring restricted areas.

And the local authority admit that restrictions are difficult to enforce. But they hope the threat of a maximum fine of £5,000 for breaching the regulations will force members of the public to heed the notices.

Tottington man Mr Robert Wood claims that a number of people have ignored the closure of a footpath leading to the Kirklees Valley trail.

"I am concerned by the number of people ignoring the sign informing them that the path is closed," he said.

"People are walking their dogs, riding bikes and horses straight past the sign. One of the local farmers keeps dairy cows there and I'm worried they may end up being infected."

Meanwhile, the council's highways department has received many calls from responsible members of the public asking where they can walk.