LARGE chunks of rural Bury are now designated strict "no go" areas as the local authority widens its footh and mouth exclusion areas.

Around 200 notices have been posted throughout the borough which effectively cuts off access to all agricultural land to the public.

Paths, bridleways and rights of way which are located on or near farmland are now out of bounds.

And although the new regulations will be difficult to enforce, council bosses warn that anyone breaching the notices will face a maximum fine of £5,000.

North Bury, embracing Ramsbottom, Hawkshaw and Holcombe, has taken the brunt of the footpaths closures.

The Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) declared these areas "at risk" because of a confirmed foot and mouth outbreak across the West Pennine Moor at a farm in Chorley.

But under powers granted to them, Bury Council has considerably widened and extended its closure programme to other area of the borough. These include other sections of Bury together with footpaths in Radcliffe, Ainsworth and Whitefield.

Mr David Chadwick, local authority public rights of way officer, said: "We now have 200 notices up on footpaths which cross agricultural land and at the entrances to some paths which lead to farm land or yards. It's all part of our exclusion zone."

Bury Council's highways and environmental health departments are working closely in identifying "no go" areas and putting up the necessary notices.

However, Mr Chadwick does acknowledge the regulations are difficult to enforce. There are reports that some people are ignoring notices and going on to farm or agricultural land.

"If we are made aware of any problems like that, then we will look to determine if extra signs might be required or whether there needs to be a police presence.

"But people who ignore such notices face a maximum fine of £5,000. This is a criminal matter."

Mr Chadwick said the local authority would continue to examine other land "on a day-to-day basis" with a view to further notices being implemented.

Meanwhile, one local landowner had called for a blanket closure of all footpaths across agricultural land.

Mr Stefan Sikorski, who runs the Bolholt Hotel, Bury, said: "My argument is that the agricultural industry has suffered enough and, if we as responsible neighbours can do anything to prevent farmers suffering further, we should do it."

The programme of closures has hit rambling and walking as well as local sport. One soccer pitch in Ainsworth was effectively "out of bounds" at the weekend because of the closure of a nearby footpath used for access.

A "Great Outdoors" event at Burrs Country Park, originally scheduled to take place on March 24, has been cancelled.

The event had been planned by Bury Countryside Service. But it has been postponed because the planned route of the guided walk to the Kirklees Trail would have taken in public footpaths through farmland.

Countryside ranger, Kathryn Fairclough said: "We are sorry about the cancellation but it was necessary in the circumstances. Those requiring further information about other activities or events we organise should contact the ranger team on 0161 761 1438."

Fears that horses on farms confirmed as having foot and mouth would have to be slaughtered have been refuted by the British Horse Society.

The Society stress horses cannot get the disease and they are not "carriers" in the medical sense.

Horses on infected farms would not be killed but would probably have to be confined for several months because they can transmit the virus via their hooves.

Yesterday, North West Water issued a "thank you" to walkers who had heeded pleas to stay away from its land.The company owns and manages 142,000 acres of land in the region.