A thousand West Sussex public footpaths, bridleways and roads used as paths will reopen in time for bank holiday weekend.

An independent consultancy carried out a risk assessment for West Sussex County Council and has agreed to the paths being reopened.

Councillor David Dewdney said: "I am convinced that the county council was right in closing all our footpaths and that this has played a significant part in keeping the disease out of the county.

"We are now in a position to adopt a cautious approach to the reopening of the network.

"I can appreciate only too well the hardship that some people have been suffering and the damage to the tourist industry in the county, but if we had had a case of foot-and-mouth in West Sussex the restrictions on movement around the county would have been punitive."

Risk assessments are still being carried out on the rest of the path network around the county.

Paths that have been reopened will display a green sign saying: "Path Open - this path is now available for public use."

The list of reopened paths can be found at the county's web site at www.westsussex.gov.uk, or at libraries, tourist information offices and district council offices.

There is also a rights of way helpline on 01243 539970.