THE region's tourism industry has been brought to its knees as the full scale of the foot-and-mouth outbreak becomes clear.

With vast tracts of hills and moorland off-limits, the rural tourism industry is estimated to have lost about £200m nationally already.

Thousands of potential visitors to the North-East have cancelled their trips, while foreign visitors from the US and France, in particular, are staying away.

North Yorkshire's tourism industry has been especially hard-hit, with a reported 25 to 75 per cent drop in visitors to the dales.

Hoteliers are losing thousands of pounds in the run-up to Easter, and most of the region's youth hostels will be closed for the rest of the month.

Andrew Osborne, of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: "If you had to think of a worst-case scenario for the region's countryside, this would be it. There is no doubt the situation is bleak.

"Also, the foot-and-mouth scare has affected the two biggest employers in rural areas - farming and tourism.

"We are keen on getting the message across that our towns and villages have a lot to offer - people can avoid the paths and bridleways, but still enjoy the country."

Richmondshire District Council leader and Hawes property agent, John Blackie, said whole communities were suffering.

"The foot-and-mouth outbreak was disastrous news," he said.

"Of course, it isn't just the farmers - although everyone feels for the families involved - it is everyone who has something to lose.

"I am looking out of the window at Hawes town centre and it is a very sombre scene."

Leaders of the North York Moors National Park are appealing for national help to win back tourists once the crisis ends.

Andy Wilson, chief executive, of the park authority, said they were pressing the English Tourism Council and the Countryside Agency to create a national recovery plan for rural tourism.

He said: "It seems likely that this will be backed by a number of organisations, and the aim will be to encourage visitors back into the countryside as soon as the all-clear is sounded".

Meanwhile, some favourite North-East beauty spots have benefited where others suffered.

Banned from their usual countryside haunts, the people of east Cleveland and the surrounding area are flocking to Saltburn, Marske and Redcar beaches.

As many as 2,000 dog walkers and day-trippers were spotted at Saltburn during the first weekend in March.