THE region's tourism industry shrugged off the devastation of the foot-and-mouth epidemic as thousands of holidaymakers enjoyed clear blue skies over the Easter weekend.

Good weather played a major role in the tourism industry's resurgence as glorious sunshine drew people from around the country to the region's attractions.

Last week, tourism chiefs in the North-East and North Yorkshire said the Easter bank holiday weekend would be vital in the recovery of the industry, which lost millions of pounds during the epidemic.

The outbreak, the biggest the world has ever seen, is estimated to have cost the national tourism industry thousands of jobs and more than £3bn in lost revenue.

The knock-on effects of the September 11 terrorist atrocities, which made foreign tourists reluctant to fly to Britain, also hit the trade hard. North Yorkshire's tourism industry alone lost £40m.

But the Easter weekend proved a massive success for dozens of the region's attractions, with many enjoying record visitor numbers.

Bill Breakell, tourism officer for the North York Moors National Park, said the weekend had been a huge success.

He said: "It's been one of the best Easter weekends I can remember. All the attractions have been busy and the region is looking forward to a really good summer.

"Last year was a very, very demoralising year for the tourism industry, especially in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

"But the Easter weekend is the start of our recovery and everyone in the region's tourism industry is thinking positively and looking forward to a better year."

In Teesdale, County Durham, tourism is one of the biggest industries after farming.

Gary Wilson, co-owner of the High Force Hotel, said the Easter weekend had been vital.

He said: "People are beginning to come back out again, but for the past year it has been virtually dead, and we were looking at closing.

"This Easter weekend has been very busy, and hopefully it's the start of things to come. We desperately need customers again if we are to survive."