North Yorkshire County Council has re-opened some 400 rights of way closed because of foot and mouth and it is hoped that many more will be available to walkers by the spring bank holiday in two week's time.

Most of the re-opened paths are away from hard-hit areas in Wensleydale and on the Cumbrian border. The move follows a survey by the Yorkshire Dales National Park showing that holiday visitor numbers were 35% down over the May bank holiday - and of those who did come, very few stayed overnight.

The future of tourism has already become a major general election battleground and tourist leaders from Wensleydale were amongst businessmen and women who staged a march of 10, Downing Street yesterday.

Today, the NFU will throw its weight into the campaign when it announces its election manifesto. Said a union offical:

"The manifesto sets out a new vision for agriculture covering issues like the country's economic policy, food chain relationships and the need to ensure farmers retain a competitive edge in the future while continuing to conserve the environment."