Some paths will remain closed

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said the reopening of Pen-y-Fan was an "extremely significant step" towards the recovery from the foot-and-mouth crisis.

But park officials have stressed that many restrictions on a fifth of public footpaths in the Beacons will remain in place.

To stop walkers entering restricted areas, park wardens will be working with National Trust staff to ensure signs are placed in the right areas.

Farmers and businesses have been badly affected by Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) restrictions and they have called for measures to aid a recovery.

Last month, hundreds of Powys footpaths closed during the crisis were re-opened.

Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 2,030 - with 118 in Wales Powys - 78 cases Anglesey - 13 cases Monmouthshire - 21 cases Caerphilly - 2 Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1 Neath Port Talbot -1 Newport - 3

The area, which has been hard hit by the disease outbreak, has seen 78 of the 118 confirmed cases of the virus in Wales.

Powys County Council has urged walkers and farmers to abide by the restrictions still in place and to ensure that precautionary measures are followed.

Earlier in the year, paths in the area were reopened to tourists only to be shut a week later when another case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed nearby.

The paths are to remain closed are those within 3km protection zones and under Defra restrictions.

The new scheme will establish coloured zones, so members of the public can see where they are allowed to walk.

The Powys council is to put details of the zones on its website.

Risk status

Green will mean all paths are open, amber zones have a possibility of some closures and all paths in red zones will be closed.

This latest development follows a row in September after the whole of Powys was given a high-risk rating for foot-and-mouth.

Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Carwyn Jones met with his UK counterpart Margaret Beckett to persuade her to change the county's status.