WOODLAND walkers are being put at risk of deadly Lyme disease because they’re being given the wrong advice about ticks, according to new research.

Official guidance warns people to ‘stick to paths whenever possible’ in the countryside to avoid coming into contact with ticks, which spread the disease.

However a new study claims this advice would be wrong.

Researchers found host animals, such as deer and sheep, use the same paths and trails humans do, ticks congregate there. It found walkers would actually be better off ‘wading through bushes’ than sticking to the path.

Lyme disease is a debilitating illness caused by bacteria, spread by ticks which can cause long-term health problems if it is not treated promptly with anti-biotics. Symptoms include a distinctive bulls eye rash, fatigue, fever, heart palpitations, joint pain, headache, and in some cases, paralysis

Iain Booth, a leading veterinary surgeon said: “To avoid being bitten wear trousers and long sleeves and get into the habit of checking your own body - and the bodies of companions - for ticks.”