TOURISM attractions in flood-hit areas of the county are keen to stress they remain open, despite fears they might be forced to close.

A perception that parts of county remain deluged has prompted some tourists to put off their visits.

Several attractions have reported a significant drop in visitor numbers.

The World of James Herriot in Thirsk - which was only partially affected by the flash floods on June 19 - had almost 50pc fewer visitors last week, compared with the same week in 2004.

Museum manager Sue Dalton said: "There's definitely been a drop in visitor numbers. Last week we had 621 people come to the museum; in the same week last year there were 1,093."

A Hambleton District Council spokeswoman said a general drop in visitor numbers had been noted after the floods.

A Thirsk tourist information centre spokeswoman said people had checked the situation instead of merely cancelling.

At least 400 bookings within in the North York Moors National Park were said to have been cancelled over a single weekend amid fears the area was still under water, a meeting of the authority heard this week.

Authority member Val Arnold said: "I am very concerned about people not coming here and I have had lots of reports of people ringing up and cancelling. It's getting to be quite a problem."

Harold Mosley, chief executive of Ryedale District Council, said: "The area has bounced back very quickly after the floods. B&Bs, guest houses and hotels are all operating as normal."

Nevertheless, the Hawnby Hotel was among those suffering cancellations.

"We lost some bookings as it is not an easy road to get here at the minute and the diversion route is not signposted," a spokesman said. "It's mainly casual trade that is down. The hotel side is fine."