VANDALS are threatening the operation to contain foot-and-mouth disease at Warrington by tearing down signs warning of footpath closures.

Repeated attempts by borough council officers to warn members of the public about the closures are being thwarted by the vandals.

Town Hall chiefs say the problem is particularly bad at Doefield Close, Culcheth - where picturesque footpaths link a plush residential area with the open countryside.

Hooligans have even attempted to set fire to one notice. The paths have been closed because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak at Duckinfield Farm in Hurst Lane, Glazebury, where nearly 500 cattle have been slaughtered.

The footpath closures came into force because they fall within a threekilometre radius of the foot and mouth infected Duckinfield Farm in Hurst Lane, Glazebury.

The closures are a vital part of containing the potential spread of infection across Warrington.

But unsuspecting members of the public are regularly using the paths because the closure signs have been vandalised or torn down.

The council says the vandals could pose a serious threat to the farming community and could be jeopardising the future elimination of the disease in Warrington.

Environmental health chief Andrew Gilbert said: 'We are working extremely hard to contain any potential threats this outbreak may pose to the farming community.

'Unfortunately, the actions of these people are jeopardising the future elimination of foot and mouth and are doing no favours at all for both our farming community and the people of Warrington. If warnings go unheeded we may have to resort to the prosecution of those responsible for destroying the signs.'

Some restrictions around Duckinfield Farm have been eased. Glazebury Cricket Club, whose ground adjoins the farm, were able to resume playing home games at the weekend.