As the foot and mouth crisis deepens, a westcountry paper is calling for a special advice booklet to be drawn up for visitors to the area.

The Western Daily Press is urging the government to produce a tourist code telling people exactly where they can and can’t go.

The Welsh tourist board has already circulated such a guide and the paper wants a similar one to be drawn up in the westcountry.

Otherwise, warns the paper, more than £20 million worth of tourism revenue could be lost each week.

The idea is already winning the support of toursim leaders.

Chief executive of South-West tourism, Malcolm Bell, said: “There needs to be a responsible public message about this.

“I am sure people are staying away from the countryside because they think it is best but there are still lots of things for tourists to do and they can help the rural economy by doing them.”

Spokesman of for the South-west Regional Development Agency, James Harper, said: “This is clearly very sensible and worthwhile. We are happy to support it.”

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