CUMBRIA is open' is the message from tourism chiefs in light of the latest foot-and-mouth emergency to hit Britain.

Six years since the disease devastated the county's farm and tourism industry, Cumbria's tourist bosses are determined to keep the countryside open and encourage visitors that it is there to be explored.

The outbreak in 2001, which spread to more than 800 farms in Cumbria, was estimated to have cost the country's tourism and associated industries around £5.4 billion, but hopes are remaining positive that if the virus is successfully contained in Surrey the impact on tourism this time should be minimal.

The chief executive of Cumbria Tourism, Ian Stephens, said: "Cumbria and the Lake District are safe to visit and our fells and mountains remain open to people who want to enjoy the countryside this summer."

Government Minister for the North West Beverly Hughes has also called on the British public to lend its support to the countryside by continuing to visit agricultural areas, despite the latest news of foot-and-mouth.

And Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: "We need to make it absolutely clear that the countryside is open for business as usual."

But while the countryside fights to stay open, local auction marts still stand empty as the ban on general animal movement enters its second week.

Livestock field manager for North West Auctions Richard Gardiner explained that the week's sale should have seen around 2,500 prime lambs and 500 cast ewes through its normally bustling gates.

See August 10 Westmorland Gazette for story in full.