BUS company Arriva fears that its operations could be hit if the crisis continues.

The public transport operator runs services throughout the region - many in rural areas - and it is worried that passenger numbers could fall if the disease spreads in the coming months.

If the crisis continues, the company believes that its services could be affected.

Chief executive Bob Davies said he feared that if the crisis was still ongoing in the summer, visitor attractions in the countryside would not be open because of movement restrictions.

Julie Jobling, a spokeswoman at the company's Sunderland headquarters, said yesterday: "Foot-and-mouth isn't currently affecting our services.

"However, if the crisis was to continue into the middle of the summer, there could be an impact.''

Arriva runs scores of rural services throughout the Northumberland, County Durham and North Yorkshire area, as well as in many other parts of the country.

Fuel costs reduced the company's operating profits by £8m last year, while the widespread flooding - which curtailed many services - accounted for a further £1m fall.