HAMBLETON'S flagship tourist attraction could have the number of days it is open cut to save money.

The World of James Herriot centre in Thirsk was hit hard by foot-and-mouth disease last year, which saw visitor numbers plummet by 30pc. Income at the centre, owned by Hambleton District Council, is down by more than £77,000.

Members of the council's cabinet met for crisis talks over the attraction's future yesterday. Mr Dave Goodwin, head of leisure and tourism in Hambleton, told the meeting that the drop in visitors was due to walkers staying away during the foot-and-mouth crisis because footpaths were closed and a lack of American tourists travelling to England after the September 11 plane hijackings.

The cabinet asked council officers to look at every possible cost-cutting measure, including handing the centre over to the private sector. Other measures were reducing opening hours, winter closing and closing the centre on traditionally quiet days such as bank holidays, New Year's Day and Boxing Day.

Other schemes include moving the Thirsk tourist information centre (TIC) out of the attraction and into the Market Place. Officers said this would raise the profile of the TIC and would also allow the Herriot centre to expand its retail business.

Council officers were also instructed to compile a three-year development plan aimed at attracting more repeat visits from tourists by updating the attraction.