HOPES that walkers could return to the Malvern Hills for Easter and provide a boost for the district's hard-hit tourist industry have been dashed.

A 'risk assessment' commissioned from specialist consultants ADAS by the Malvern Hills Conservators has been completed but the board has been told that more needs to be done.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has told the Conservators that they needs to lay down disinfected mats in car parks and all the main hill access points to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.

But that has provoked an objection from the Environment Agency.

The agency has told the Conservators to carry out a hydro-geological survey to ensure that the disinfectant does not create a problem to ground water supplies, springs and water courses.

Until that survey has been completed the hills will stay shut to the public, as they have been since the end of February.

When the risk assessment was commissioned it was hoped the northern part of the hills could have been opened by last weekend.

There was some good news, however, as the Conservators have announced the opening of Wells Common and Newland Common, but not Castlemorton.

John Redfern, owner of St Ann's Caf, said: "I think it's absolutely ridiculous.

"Our business is down by 92 per cent. We've got one member of staff left but I don't know for how much longer.

"We've just got to get through this weekend and then see what happens."

Jacqui O'Sullivan, at the Kettle Sings, was keen to tell people that the hill cafe is still open for business.

"We're still getting a few people in but an awful lot of people don't realise we're open," she said.