OWNERS of a Yorkshire Dales holiday cottage have billed their local tourist information office for lost income, claiming visitors were encouraged to give the area a miss.

Paul Wood and his wife Pam, who live in Wensleydale, told a client to contact Leyburn tourist office for the latest information on the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

However, instead of reassurance, they say someone painted a gloomy story of life in the Dales - pointing the customer towards the east coast instead.

The booking was subsequently cancelled, leaving the Woods out of pocket and fearing for the future of their business.

A spokeswoman for Richmondshire Tourism Office confirmed a letter was being drafted to Mr Wood, who had the department's sympathy.

She said: "We are promoting responsible tourism and trying to give a positive message about the countryside."

Meanwhile, the region's seaside resorts enjoyed a bumper weekend as the sun shone and day-trippers continued to desert the countryside.

Scarborough, Whitby and Filey, in North Yorkshire, reported their best two days of the year.

Mike Wilkinson, of Scarborough Borough Council, said: "We have not experienced this level of business at this time of year before."

l A "tourism cabinet" has been set up to work out a foot-and-mouth recovery plan for the industry.

The cabinet, set up by the English Tourism Council, will update the Government on the impact of the disease and oversee an advertising campaign to stimulate tourism over the vital Easter and May bank holidays, and the half-term week.