Patrols will police a Baildon beauty spot this weekend to clamp down on day-trippers breaking foot and mouth restrictions.

Visitors will be cleared from Shipley Glen after fears that walkers and families could spread the virus by being on the grass where sheep graze.

A team of officers from Bradford Council will patrol the area after problems last weekend, when some sunseekers ignored signs saying it was closed to prevent the spread of the disease.

John Dallas, of Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, which has just re-opened for business, said staff had to wave people off the area.

"We saw many people read the signs and continue onto the glen and we asked them to come back off because they were not allowed. If people came into the centre and they had a frisbee or a football or picnic hamper we would say there was no access onto the glen but explain that part of Roberts Park is open."

Following complaints from residents and members of the farming community, the Council is taking action to raise awareness that the area is still out of bounds.

David Clapham, principal environmental health manager who is in charge of animal health, said: "We want to remind people that it is still an infected area after the two outbreaks in Bradford in March. If somebody is up there having a game of football we would remind them to stay off and say bear with us."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said it issued guidelines on opening nature spots and individual authorities had to make the decision to open or not.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment, said: "It is possible that, because some areas are being re-opened, people were not clear about the status of Shipley Glen last weekend. But I would urge people to stay away this weekend to prevent this disease spreading any further."

Inspector Nigel Cawthorne, of the problem orientated police team based at Keighley, said police would be available to support the Council with its efforts.