A GROUP of walkers have launched an appeal to have some of North Yorkshire's footpaths reopened.

Pickering Walking Group claims membership is dwindling because planned walks have had to be cancelled because of the foot and mouth scourge.

Member Shirley Brown said because many footpaths around the town were not near any livestock they should be reopened.

"We started off last year with about 30 walkers, we organised outings and walks on local routes," she said.

"But because of the foot and mouth crisis we had to cancel our events. Everyone in the group is responsible and we respected that.

"We haven't been on any walks since the start of the crisis - such a lot of hard work has gone into getting the group together it would be a shame to lose it.

"There are many paths in the locality which we feel could be reopened without the risk of walkers coming into contact with livestock."

Mrs Brown was so concerned about the group's plight she contacted the Evening Press about the matter.

"I have also written to North Yorkshire County Council about the possibility of getting some footpaths reopened," she said.

The group's organiser Pauline Hukin was unavailable, but a message on the group's answer phone says it all.

"Due to the blanket closure of footpaths and the refusal of North Yorkshire County Council to open them fully, all events have been cancelled," says the message.

Les Welford, owner of the Forge Tea Shop at Hutton-le-Hole, whose business has been badly hit by the closure of footpaths in the national park, said he relied on walkers for a substantial amount of his trade.

"I would like to see some of the walks in this area opened as soon as possible," he said.

Robin Mair, from the foot and mouth information desk at North Yorkshire County Council, said that in the light of new national guidelines suggesting the increased opening of footpaths away from infected areas, the council would reconsider its position.

"We are aware of the need to get the tourism industry back on its feet, but we make no apology for maintaining a cautious approach as there is no way we will compromise the fight against foot and mouth," he said.

Updated: 09:43 Saturday, June 02, 2001