COUNTRYSIDE Minister Mr Elliot Morley believes the war against foot-and-mouth is being won.

Speaking at Castleton in the North York Moors National Park, he said the disease was now under control: "but people must not drop their guard."

Mr Morley was marking the re-launch of the Moorsbus service in the park.

He encouraged people to return to the countryside and support local businesses but to follow all foot-and-mouth safeguards.

"There is a balance to be struck between the livestock sector and tourism but I believe we can do this," said Mr Morley. "One of the most important things we can do is promote the area, promote rural businesses and relax controls as quickly as we can."

Daily cases of foot-and-mouth had fallen to single figures and the advice of the chief scientist was that the downward trend showed it was under control.

"The war is being won but it will be a while before we see an end to it," said Mr Morley. "We will see sporadic outbreaks. This is a disease that will end with a whimper rather than a bang."

Mr Morley was taken through the Esk valley where he saw some of the temporary cattle grids and fencing put in place to keep sheep out of the villages and away from visitors to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.

The minister also met local farmers in Goathland and at Castleton where Commondale farmer, Mr Martin Muir, the chairman of the Black-Faced Sheep Society, Commondale, told him farmers were anxious to keep foot-and-mouth out of the area and hoped the Ruswarp incident would to be the only one.

They welcomed the temporary cattle grids because they kept the stock away from visitors.

Some breeders in the area had been able to sell their sheep but prices had been low.

"Our long-term problem could be when our lambs are big enough to sell," said Mr Muir. "The export ban will be in place for a long time and we will be over-producing so it will have an effect on prices too."

The biggest income since the outbreak was the livestock subsidy paid in April. "But people are still struggling," said Mr Muir, "We have a lot of expenditure at this time of year."

An e-mail survey by national park officials of 220 Yorkshire Tourist Board members in April brought 41 responses, showing that more than a third had not taken on seasonal staff and had reduced staff working hours.

More than 70pc said turnover had fallen by more than half; 67pc had reduced their orders to suppliers; 60pc had cut back on maintenance and 65pc were using financial reserves to keep going.