LARGE areas of Dartmoor are due to re-open this Saturday after being closed for more than three months due to the foot and mouth crisis.

The news has been welcomed by walkers and sports clubs whose grounds are on the moor — but one Princetown businessman fears it may still be too soon.

Dartmoor National Park Authority will lift access restrictions on common and access land south of Tavistock and south and east of the B3357, B3212 and A382 roads, apart from land around Dunnabridge Farm near Princetown.

This is where the only case of foot and mouth has occurred on the moor — the area remains under MAFF Form A restrictions and will be clearly marked and patrolled.

Many public rights of way are also being opened on the same day by Devon County Council in the derestricted area.

John Weir of the DNPA said: 'With assistance from the MoD, the rangers and voluntary wardens are working hard on the ground to ensure that appropriate signing is in place. These signs reflect the simple messages that green means open, and red means closed.'

Rodney Smith, of Tavistock Ramblers' Association, said: 'We're delighted, as long as it's not too soon for the farmers.'

Tavistock Golf Club is also delighted at the news — the course on Whitchurch Down has been closed since the end of February.

Club secretary Mike O'Dowd said: 'All these golfers are champing at the bit to get out and play. I think everyone is very pleased — originally MAFF were saying we could be closed until September.'

Mr O'Dowd said members had been 'very supportive', but it had been a difficult time.

'We've had no income from green fees, no visitors; we've lost three open events and, of course, people are not using the clubhouse

so much.'

The club appealed to MAFF to be permitted to undertake essential maintenance work during the restrictions, using a strict disinfection procedure — otherwise the course could have been lost, he said.

'This week for five days we are trying to do the work of about two months — at least the weather is good!' he said.

The lifting of restrictions is also good news for Tavistock Cricket Club, which plays at The Ring on Whitchurch Down.

Steve Luffman, first team captain, said: 'We will be very pleased to get back there as quickly as we can.

'We've had no income at all so obviously that causes us problems as we still have bills to pay.

'This sounds very good news — we've barely been allowed up there so this week would be optimistic, but certainly this presents us with a target.'

But James Langton, landlord of the Plume of Feathers at Princetown, had mixed feelings about the re-opening.

He said: 'It's tremendous news — as long as it's being done for the right reasons. I have fears we've rushed it a bit, for the sake of two or three weeks.'

Trade at the Plume and its campsite plummeted once the moor closed, said Mr Langton.

'Even the village misses the campsite, because people use the shops and the petrol station.

'We've lost the Navy, the Royal Marines, the letterboxers, all the Ten Tors training, the Duke of Edinburgh training, because we are a recognised site for that — it's been a tremendous loss,' he said.

Kathryn Williams of Willy's Ice-Cream at Milton Abbot said it would be 'an uphill struggle' to get back to normal.

Her trade was '100 per cent affected' by the closure as her ice-cream vans normally work at around 14 moorland sites.

'We've not been able to hold on to staff, so it's going to be a gradual process. We are a bit pessimistic people might have changed their habits over the last few months,' said Mrs Williams.

'I just hope people will come back and support the moors.'

The re-opening of Dartmoor follows MAFF blood-testing of stock on the moor and has been carried out in consultation with landowners.

The DNPA is advising walkers to stay away from livestock, not to drop waste food or litter, keep dogs on a lead, use disinfectant where provided, obey signs and start walks or rides with clean equipment, footwear and clothing.