COUNTRYSIDE access restrictions imposed throughout Bury because of the foot and mouth outbreak are being lifted.

But ramblers and walkers throughout the area will have to wait before tapes and notices at all access points to many previous "no go" areas are eventually taken down.

Despite being given the go-ahead to end the restrictions, Bury Council has to write to all local landowners affected.

It may be a couple of weeks before all footpaths, lanes and rights of way are in the public domain again.

The good news comes after the latest Government criteria which stated restrictions should only remain in place within a three kilometre radius of an infected site. In February, at the height of the foot and mouth outbreak, council bosses imposed closure orders on more than 200 footpaths, lanes and rights of way throughout the Bury area.

Some weeks ago, however, there was a partial lifting of the restrictions.

Access to Holcolmbe Hill has already been restored and a barrier to the main car park taken down.

But a trip to Peel Tower is as far as walkers will be able to go. Land on Holcombe Moor, which includes the popular footpath to Pilgrim's Cross will remain closed. The land is owned by the National Trust and they confirmed footpaths on their land will remain shut.

The Samaritans in Bury has scaled down its annual fund-raising and awareness campaign in a bid to help people affected by the foot and mouth crisis.

The group nationwide launched an "Emergency Rural Stress" campaign last month to urge people in rural communities not to cope alone.

Anyone with messages of support for the rural community can post them on the Samaritans website at www.samaritans.org