RAMBLERS are set for an Easter treat after council bosses agreed to open some footpaths for the first time since the foot and mouth outbreak hit East Lancashire.

Some 20 per cent of the public spaces and footpaths under Blackburn with Darwen's control are set to re-open before the weekend, giving locals at least some open spaces to roam through over the Easter bank holiday.

Among the areas re-opening for the first time in nearly two months are Billinge Woods and Sunnyhurst Woods, although access to moorland from the woods remains restricted. The announcement was made at a meeting of the council's executive committee. Coun Maureen Bateson said: "We have taken advice before announcing which footpaths we can open.

"We have made sure none of the paths cross land where sheep might graze. Many of the paths are open because the public have asked for us to open them. The situation is always under review and may change at any time."

The announcement was made just hours after it was revealed foot and mouth had spread to Clayton-le-Dale, near Blackburn.

A herd of llama-like Alpaca animals worth hundreds of thousands of pounds are now set to be slaughtered after the outbreak at Harwood fold Farm, Showley Road. The announcement prompted concern from Coun Paul Browne that the council was acting too hastily in re-opening some of the paths. He said: "We have had cases where foot and mouth has been detected 30 miles away from the nearest outbreak. I have to wonder if we are acting too hastily especially with this latest outbreak so close." But Coun Sue Reid, who represents the Sunnyhurst ward in Darwen, replied: "The areas being open are being done so because the risk isn't there. People can't access land where animals graze or go past farms.

"For example, we closed Sunnyhurst Woods but people couldn't understand why the golfers next door were allowed to continue playing."

Coun Bateson added: "More than 80 per cent of our footpaths remain closed."

The areas with some paths now open are Billinge Woods, Beardwood, Pleckgate, Lammack, Alum Scar, Pleasington, Sunnyhurst, Westland Ave, Blacksnape, Harbour Lane, Entwistle and Chapeltown.