THE countryside is in crisis, not in quarantine.

That is the message environment bosses are trying to put across to the general public who are staying away from rural towns and villages in droves.

The effect of their absence is hitting small businesses dependent on the tourist trade hard and countryside experts say the effects could last at least a year.

And yet, contrary to popular belief, the rural areas of East Lancashire, including the picturesque Ribble Valley, are not shut to visitors. And, though most favourite walking and strolling areas are closed, there are still many attractions for people to enjoy without the fear of spreading the foot and mouth virus to the farmsteads.

The fear that many rural business will not be able to survive the present crisis is of grave concern to such bodies as The Countryside Agency.

It has said the effects of the crisis will last at least a year, long after the outbreak has ended and is working closely with the Government's rural recovery task force in order to try and tackle the financial crisis.

Chairman of the Agency, Ewen Cameron, is urging visitors to return to the rural towns and villages where many businesses are on the critical list. "Although there are real problems for rural businesses through most of England right now, if visitors return, their problem could be eased. Consumers are the key to the countryside's recovery. In the short term the public should know much of the countryside is open for business and their spending power will get rural businesses through the immediate crisis," he said.

Mary Parker of Clitheroe Tourist Information Centre, together with Ribble Valley tourism officer Jane Silvester have been working closely together to compile a list - available from the TIC -of centres and attractions that people can still visit in safety.

Karen Weaving, who together with husband Malcolm runs the Stirk House Hotel in Gisburn, said the crisis had hit their business particularly hard.

"It has had an horrendous effect on us. So far we have lost around £30,000 in cancellations and are busy looking to set up other events in order to try and hang on to our staff," explained Mrs Weaving who has been at the hotel for five years.