THE tourism industry in Yorkshire has lost an estimated £300m since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the county in March.

Now a £1m-plus recovery package has been put together to regenerate interest in the region from holidaymakers and day trippers.

Mr David Andrews, Yorkshire Tourist Board chief executive, outlines the proposals to Richmondshire business forum on Monday. They form part of a regional business recovery plan drawn up by Yorkshire Forward and its partners, including the tourist board, and funded by a share of £24m awarded nationally by the government to help rural economies devastated by the virus.

A report by the tourist board says 80pc of Yorkshire's tourism revenue is generated by visitors from other parts of the UK and a regional marketing project must be undertaken to regenerate business in hard-hit areas such as the dales and North York Moors.

Proposals concentrate on the short break market and include promoting theme and activity breaks. An extension of the visitor payback scheme being piloted in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, where visitors are asked to help maintain footpaths and walls by donating cash, is envisaged.

The campaign would target non-serious walkers rather than avid hikers who trek longer distances and do not generally contribute much to the local economy. Research showed four out of five visitors enjoyed short walks in the countryside but did not consider themselves serious hikers.

Rural touring itineraries based on areas such as the dales and moors would also be promoted, with links to public transport. There would also be a drive to attract visitors to historic houses, castles and market towns such as Ripon, Hawes, Richmond and Helmsley

Activity breaks would take on rural themes such as dry stone walling, landscape painting and bird watching and television, film and literary holidays are proposed.

The tourist board is also leading a research project to look at how Yorkshire crafts and produce can be marketed more successfully and a website is planned to draw together suppliers.

l The forum meeting also includes a presentation by Mr Maurice Hall, of Hawes auction mart, and Mr Mike Keeble, of Cornerstone, on the progress of various ventures in the area.

l The cost so far of the foot-and-mouth crisis to the rural economy as a whole was revealed this week by the Countryside Commission - full story: page 12.

l Leading article: page 14