The beauty spot of Farndale may boast some of North Yorkshire's finest scenery, but this year has been one of the worst on record for business.

Now, however, there are signs of a recovery, with two of its best known tourism enterprises - The Daffy Caffy and The Feversham Arms - beginning to win back trade from visitors.

George Loggie who runs the Daffy Caffy with his partner, Joanna Marshall, has been given permission by the North York Moors National Park Authority to open throughout the winter, to help compensate for the dramatic loss of income the cafe has suffered since February because of foot-and-mouth disease.

Normally, the cafe opens from February to October.

With the announcement that the park's footpaths are open again, walkers are finding their way back to Farndale.

"People now realise they can enjoy the many walks in the dale and we are geared up to cater for them," said Mr Loggie.

Foot-and-mouth dealt a personal blow for the couple.

"We had planned to get married," said Mr Loggie, "but we postponed it because it would have meant guests arriving by car from all parts of the country and using a farm entrance to turn round next to the church, which could have posed a risk of bringing the disease to the dale."

Now, their wedding plans are being made for the coming year.