British countryside starting to open up

The British countryside is returning to normal and it is important the country gets this message across, according to the Government's Culture Secretary, Chris Smith. Prime Minister Tony Blair claims, "We are on the home straight" with the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

But not everybody believes them. One dissenting voice is that of Roger Clarke, chief executive of the Youth Hostel Association. "Tourism leaders are saying the countryside is open, but from our point of view it is not," he said.

He said local authorities are responsible for re-opening countryside footpaths, for example, which they will only do after each path has had a risk assessment - a slow, complex process. So, what's open?

YHA: About 150 hostels out of 230.

National Trust: Of a total of 600 sites, 403 are open.

English Heritage: 228 sites out of 409 open.

Theme parks: Most have remained open throughout.