A pub landlord is calling for Shipley Glen to be re-opened after his business has been decimated by the foot and mouth crisis.

John Dyer said trade at Baildon's Old Glen House had been devastated by the lack of visitors to the glen and Baildon Moor since their closure to the public in February.

Mr Dyer, pictured with partner Claire Dewhirst, said: "We've lost at least £50,000 compared to the same period last year. It's more than 30 per cent down and staff hours have been cut drastically.

"It's predominantly a summer trade pub and if the visitors don't come back soon it'll be like having three winters running.

"The Government has said it wants places re-opened but we've heard nothing from Bradford Council and it seems ludicrous to keep it shut.

"The nearest foot and mouth is at Middleton and Silsden, way outside the 3km protection zones, and sheep wander off the glen anyway so we're asking them to re-open these areas or give a good reason why they can't.''

Old Glen House Tea Room owner Bonita Duggan added: "We're normally full up with ramblers, dog walkers, climbers and hang-gliders and though our regulars have been very supportive it's been very quiet. Trade's at least halved so the sooner it re-opens the better.''

Shipley MP Chris Leslie said: "The Government's keen for closures in tourist areas to be lifted if it can be done safely - we don't have the standard issues on the moor as it's common land but there must be alternatives the Council can employ instead of just a blanket ban.''

A Department of Food, the Regions and Agriculture (DEFRA) spokesman said there was no reason local authorities could not now re-open footpaths if they were not within 3km of a foot and mouth case and did not ''compromise bio-security''. But she said opening paths in areas over which livestock freely roamed could constitute such a risk.

Council portfolio holder for the environment Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: "There are people in the tourist industry who've lost a lot of money and I've told our officers we must write to the Government saying we need rural recovery money for them.

"We'd like to re-open Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor as soon as possible but without being irresponsible - there are sheep there and there is a case for keeping the footpaths closed but it will be looked at over the next few days.''