FOOTPATHS and rights of way could be closed to protect farms from the spread of foot-and-mouth.

Worried Worcestershire farmers had complained about a lack of powers to block access to their land.

But yesterday Agriculture Minister Nick Brown announced the measures were available to local authorities.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, who called for emergency measures earlier this week, said that during the last outbreak in 1967, fewer people tended to use the countryside.

"There were fewer cars, ramblers and open paths. But now some walkers appear to be insisting on their right of access. Every possible source of cross-infection must be controlled," he said.

Matilda Evans, who runs Mere Hall Farm, at Hanbury, with her husband, said they were in the middle of lambing and needed to make sure their land had not become infected.

"We've seen walkers going across our land, and to them it looks like there's no livestock, but that doesn't mean it's not going to be used," she said.

"We simply don't have time to tell them not to walk across.

"Once the weather improves we'll have to get our sheep outside, but what if the land has become contaminated by the walkers?"

Mr Brown said people needed to take sensible precautions and avoid unnecessary visits to farms.

Worcestershire's countryside services department is responsible for more than 2,500 miles of public rights of way.

Ian Bamforth, head of countryside services, said today the council was "liaising with MAFF over providing the necessary support for the farming community".