A NORTH-EAST hotelier is calling on the Government to increase aid to the region's tourism industry in the wake of foot-and-mouth disease.

Derek Harvey, manager of the Durham Mariott Royal County Hotel, in Durham City, said the hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants given to the Northumbria Tourist Board were "too little, too late".

He claimed the region's tourism industry had suffered a downturn of up to 15 per cent in business because of the disease, including the cancellation of many bookings from abroad.

Mr Harvey said the Government had ignored the tourism industry - worth £64bn a year - while focusing on helping farmers.

"As a hotelier it is clear that foot-and-mouth has had a huge impact on regional tourism, yet the sector has received very little in terms of recognition or cash aid.

"The grants are simply not enough and have come too late to have any meaningful effect on the local tourism industry for this year.

Mr Harvey said he would like to see more cash aid immediately to help in time for next season, which starts at Easter. He called on the Government to appoint a tourism minister who would give the industry a voice within central government.