BECAUSE of foot and mouth disease all footpaths and bridleways are now closed in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, until further notice.

Unlike other farming crises, the public have a vital part to play in stopping the spread of this disease by respecting these closures and only coming to the national park if their visit is urgent.

Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later that we will be welcoming them back.

DAVID BUTTERWORTH, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority,

Bainbridge, Leyburn, North Yorkshire.