CHURCHGOERS plan to gather to pray for the revival of tourism and farming.

Fountains Abbey, near Ripon, is the National Trust's most popular pay-for entry property, attracting 300,000 people a year.

But it was closed to visitors when foot-and-mouth hit the region. Although it reopened on April 20, some areas of the 822-acre estate remain off-limits.

On Sunday, hundreds of people from churches throughout the county will take part in a service celebrating the festival of Pentecost, and to pray for the future of their rural communities.

The organiser, Canon Tony Keddie, said the abbey had been hit by the farming crisis, but administrators were still keen for the service, traditionally held there, to go ahead.

"It may be a little more low key than in previous years, but the abbey authorities are delighted to hold the service there, and we hope anyone who wants to come along will feel free to do so," he said.

Canon Keddie will preach at the service and will be joined by the Reverend Matthew Evans, who will lead prayers for those affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The service begins at 3pm and because of the foot-and-mouth restrictions, entrance will be restricted to the visitors centre.