FIRST she did wonders for the image of the Women's Institute, now she's playing her part in putting the Yorkshire Dales back on the tourist map after the foot-and-mouth (FMD) crisis.

Angela Barker was one of the WI ladies who caused a sensation when they posed naked for a charity calendar at Rylston, on the edge of the Dales.

Yesterday, she was in the heart of the National Park, at Hawes, to launch the 2002 Official Holiday Guide for the Yorkshire Dales Joint Promotions Initiative.

The 64-page colour guide marks the start of an extended advertising campaign to promote the Yorkshire Dales as a holiday destination.

Beginning this month, it will give national exposure to the area in the run-up to the main holiday season.

An FMD Recovery Grant from Yorkshire Forward has allowed a prolonged campaign, which will also include seasonal promotions and mail shots.

Richmondshire tourism officer Pam Whittaker said: "It is important to do all we can to help businesses have a successful 2002 season.

"We are competing in a national market place with other rural destinations, and the extra funding from Yorkshire Forward has enabled us to introduce this campaign at a time when people are planning holidays for next year."

The guide's success in drawing people to the area is already well established. Research shows that more than 88 per cent of people who receive a copy of the guide are encouraged to visit the area and, since its first publication in 1997, it is estimated to have generated income in excess of £31m.