Dozens of public paths will reopen before the weekend as foot-and-mouth fears ease across East Sussex.

Representatives of the tourism, farming and rambling communities were among those who agreed to reopen footpaths in the county at a meeting last night.

County council officers said there was an overwhelming consensus in favour of reopening footpaths to boost tourism.

Nigel Kitchener, rights of way and countryside manager, said it was hoped the majority would be open by Whitsun Bank Holiday.

He said: "We are looking for landowners to respond to us because we need to assure them that we are not doing anything that is running the risk of spreading the disease."

He said land with animals grazing on it would still be off limits for walkers.