Footpaths and bridleways closed because of the foot-and-mouth crisis should start opening in time for Whitsun weekend.

But East and West Sussex county councils yesterday issued conflicting signals on exactly how many rights of way they expect to reopen.

In East Sussex, the county council expects only a third of its 2,000-mile rights of way network to reopen before the bank holiday weekend.

West Sussex County Council, by contrast, said most of its 2,500 miles of footpaths and bridleways would open by the end of next week.

Both authorities are writing to livestock farmers asking what rights of way should stay closed and will carry out risk assessments on disputed paths.

West Sussex councillor Howard Hall said all but a handful of paths in the county should reopen by May 18.

He said: "I am hopeful that it would only be a small percentage that remain closed."

Ministers have been increasing pressure on councils to open as many paths as possible to help the struggling tourist industry, and have issued guidelines saying there is a low risk of walkers, riders or cyclists introducing foot-and-mouth.

The Ramblers' Association said there was no excuse for not re-opening most paths.

Frank Pidgeon, of Sussex Ramblers, said: "They went overboard and I think now they should move to open the paths as quickly as possible. If the councils follow the guidelines we would be happy."

Sally Davies, who runs the Exceat Farmhouse restaurant at Seven Sisters Country Park, says she has seen her takings plummet since the crisis began. She said reopening footpaths could not happen soon enough.

She said: "I think it is exceedingly important and I think it is a complete farce they have not opened them."

Both county councils were today named and shamed for failing to reopen footpaths.

Environment Minister Beverley Hughes said they were two of the worst performing local authorities in the country.

They were included in a list of eight councils who have not had any confirmed cases of the disease -- but have reopened less than a quarter of their paths.

West Sussex has the fourth worst record with ten per cent of footpaths open, while East Sussex has 12 per cent open.

The Government said they were "failing local communities" and must have more footpaths open by the next bank holiday.

Environment Minister Beverley Hughes said: "These figures show that many local authorities continue to keep rights of way closed unnecessarily.

"The Government's veterinary and scientific advisors have confirmed that outside infected areas there is no justification for keeping so many paths closed."