RAMBLERS face fines of up to £5,000 if they go on countryside footpaths in Leigh and Wigan.

Wigan council chiefs have imposed a ban on anyone walking along farm footpaths, canal towpaths or any of the country parks including Pennington Flash in Leigh.

Under emergency powers, anyone caught walking on paths could be prosecuted and fined £5,000.

Warning signs have gone up on footpaths and staff are being drafted from other duties to carry out spot checks.

Bin collections and official visits to farms in the Leigh and Wigan area have also been suspended for the next seven days. Wigan Council's director of environmental health said: "So far no cases of the disease have been discovered within the borough's boundaries but the northern part of the borough around Standish, Aspull and Haigh has been designated part of an infected area due to the confirmed case at Withnell.

"Our powers are substantial and as part of the borough has been designated an infected area, we feel we have no choice but to use them.

"People can still use footpaths along roads and in urban parks but most other places are now out of bounds until further notice. This applies to people walking, exercising dogs or riding horses and motor bikes.

"We have moved staff off normal duties to carry out patrols to make sure as far as possible that people are observing the restrictions.

"Anyone caught breaching them faces a fine of up to £5,000. Pleading ignorance is not a defence."

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