THE full devastating impact of foot and mouth disease in North Yorkshire has been revealed in a new report.

Around 900,000 beds were left empty and 300,000 tourist trips were cancelled in the first three months of the crisis.

And more than £250 million was wiped off the rural economy in Yorkshire and The Humber when the virus swept through the region, figures released by The Countryside Agency show.

In its annual report, The State of the Countryside 2001, the agency claims the shadow of foot and mouth continues to dominate and suggests that the crisis has had far reaching consequences for rural areas.

There were 134 confirmed cases of foot and mouth in North Yorkshire during last year's outbreak.

The report states: "The overall impact of foot and mouth disease is complex and wide-ranging, and extends beyond the economic effects. These impacts will only become apparent in time.

"Although... the region has had fewer cases of foot and mouth disease than the worst affected (areas)... a range of businesses and industries have felt the impact of the disease.

"The effects of the closure of large areas of the countryside to the public during the early months of the outbreak impacted heavily on rural businesses who rely on visitors for much of their income."

Pam Warhurst, Countryside Agency deputy chair, said: "This has been a challenging year for all those living and working in the countryside.

"The devastating effects of foot and mouth continue to be felt; land-based industries, businesses, agriculture, tourism and rural communities continue to be hit hard by the ongoing problems and by the uncertainties about the future that have resulted from the outbreaks.

"The countryside is at the forefront of people's minds and figures in the political agenda as never before.

"Out of this crisis has risen a new and exciting opportunity to influence changes that will benefit the countryside."

Updated: 11:03 Monday, January 07, 2002