JUST one small stretch of footpath remains closed in Craven - 15 months after restrictions were imposed during the foot and mouth crisis.

The 1.5 kilometre path runs from Long Gill, near Wigglesworth, via Street House Farm to the county border.

The latest information is good news for tourists.

Helen Shepherd of North Yorkshire County Council's footpaths department said the last remaining path in Craven was likely to be opened soon, but was unable to give a definite date.

And Jon Avison, of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: "The announcement is more symbolic than anything else, as the overwhelming majority of footpaths and bridleways have been open since the New Year.

"However, it is an important landmark, which draws a line under the terrible events of last year."

There was more good news for sheep farmers as Skipton Auction Mart held its first live sale of breeding sheep on Tuesday.

All 1,453 animals - 597 geld hoggs and 371 sheep with 485 lambs at foot - were sold to eager buyers keen to re-stock their farms.

The annual show represented a milestone for the mart as only sheep intended for slaughter have been allowed to go through the ring previously because of continuing DEFRA restrictions.

First and second prizes in the show class for pens of ten mule gimmer hoggs were scooped by John Throup, of Lower House Farm, Silsden Moor.

But, as Craven continues to fight back from the devastating effects of the crisis, one Ingleton woman continues her own battle against the Government.

Last year Jean Dixon began a petition against the contiguous cull of healthy animals. The petition spread from Craven to the surrounding district and counties and to date has collected more than 39,000 signatures.

Mrs Dixon has ferried the piles of signed paperwork to 10 Downing Street on a dozen occasions.

She is also keen to keep the fundraising going for people directly affected by foot and mouth.

To this end she has written a poem which is on a memorial card obtainable from the Craven Tuck Box, in Skipton's Sheep Street. The card costs £1 and all proceeds go to the ARC Addington charity.