IT is ironic that in the week when North Yorkshire is declared foot and mouth free, the dreadful state of the county's footpaths is revealed.

The Countryside Commission found a pitiful 22 per cent of paths are officially "easy to follow" compared with the national average of 62 per cent.

This confirms what the local Ramblers' Association has been saying for years.

The situation might well have deteriorated, should any unscrupulous landowners have taken the opportunity of foot and mouth to allow footpaths on their land to fall into disrepair.

North Yorkshire County Council must do more to improve the situation.

People are attracted from far and wide to walk in our beautiful countryside.

Decent paths are therefore vital to the tourist industry.

Updated: 10:43 Wednesday, January 02, 2002