A MARKET town's recovery from the foot-and-mouth crisis has been strengthened by news this week that one of its tourist attractions has recorded its highest visitor figures ever during the past year.

The Dales Countryside Museum, in Hawes, was closed as a precaution during the outbreak.

The news that the museum is attracting more people than ever before could be a boost for the local economy.

Manager Fiona Rosher said: "The rise in visitor numbers reflects the hard work of everybody involved with the museum and we would like to thank everyone who has made last year our most successful year yet."

"It has been a terrific 12 months. We have worked closely with the Friends of the Dales Countryside Museum and local community groups to bring together a wide range of photographic and art exhibitions, events and craft demonstrations to attract visitors.

"We have also increased the services on offer to the local community, including educational workshops for local children, developing the local history archive and providing meeting facilities for local groups - the museum is busier than ever and we are enjoying every minute of it."

The museum's success follows news that the auction mart is to expand services available to farmers and is considering other projects to fill the gap left by a 40 per cent fall in the livestock trade, including exhibition space, meeting rooms and a business and training centre.

Meanwhile, Richmondshire District Council is marketing the town's industrial estate.

Businessman and Hawes councillor John Blackie said: "It's easy to forget just how grim things were but we still have a lot to do if we want to attract new, high-quality jobs to the area - and that means doing what we can to have Broadband installed as soon as possible."