A BUMPER bank holiday has put the local tourist industry back on track after the disastrous start to the holiday season.

The continuing foot-and-mouth crisis crippled East Hampshire's tourist industry at the beginning of February, with government guidelines forcing the closure of some rural attractions.

Confusion about which attractions were still open had catastrophic effects on more than 30 attractions throughout the district, even though they remained open.

But tourism bosses hope that the bank holiday has sparked off a mini-revival which will bring visitors back in their droves.

Administrator of Gilbert White's House and the Oates Museum in Selborne Anna Jackson said: "We did quite well at the weekend, although our numbers were still a little bit down on last year.

"The tea parlour was very busy."

Mrs Jackson said that despite some concern overseas, foreign visitors did not seem to be put off by television images of the effects of the outbreak, which Hampshire has escaped so far.

"Visitors are coming from all over really - the Americans, and everyone who we would normally expect at this time of year.

"We are down a little on last year, but we are very pleased that the message that we are open is getting through."

Other local attractions reported a similar story. Birdworld in Holt Pound attracted visitors throughout the Easter period, with the bank holiday being the icing on the cake.

General manager Mark Anderson said: "We had a very good weekend. Obviously the weather was good, which helped, and compared to last year we are doing well.

"It is nice to see that the visitors are coming back after everything that has happened.

"Our car parks overflowed on a few of the days and some people had to park in the garden centre next door."

Birdworld has only recently reopened its Jenny Wren Farm, which closed when a suspected case of foot-and-mouth, confirmed some time later as a false alarm, was reported in Monkwood near East Tisted.

"Our young birds are proving popular with the visitors. We have got four young penguins at the moment and people can see ducklings around, too," said Mr Anderson.

Alice Holt Woodland Park has only recently reopened following the relaxation of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

A spokesman said: "We did quite well over the bank holiday period, although obviously the weather plays a part.

"It is a nice thing to welcome visitors back again and to see something positive being written again.

"Articles in publications like The Herald have helped us and I think that word of mouth has played a big part as well.

"We are just glad that the message seems to be getting through that we are open for business."