Haworth's ever popular Forties Weekend will be going ahead this year in spite of reports that it had been cancelled due to the foot and mouth crisis.

The weekend of nostalgia, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the UK and abroad, will take place on May 12 and 13.

And traders in the village are mounting a campaign to get tourists flocking back to the village.

Chairman of Haworth Traders' Association Mike Hutchinson says: "We had heard rumours circulating that the Forties Weekend had been cancelled because of foot and mouth, but we are still going ahead.

"I have also done a letter which will be circulated to all the coach companies to say that we are here and we are open for business as usual.

"The epidemic is having an impact on trade in Haworth, and there doesn't seem to be the foreign visitors about, especially the Japanese who are definitely missing.

"There are three businesses in Haworth which have closed, but that has been down to retirement. There are also a couple of businesses which have closed for refurbishment."

Bradford Council's regeneration chief has pledged support to shop keepers in Haworth who are being hit by the disease.

Executive member for the economy Councillor Simon Cooke visited traders in Main Street who are feeling the pinch as tourists stay away.

Councillor Cooke says: "The current outbreak of foot and mouth disease has exposed the frailty of our local rural economies, such as Haworth.

"Major attractions like Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and the Bront Parsonage Museum are in a much better position to endure the downturn caused by the disease.

"However, many of the Main Street businesses are small family concerns and are dependent on a busy summer season to secure their survival.

"Following today's visit, and taking on board the comments I have heard from caf owners and shop keepers, I will be asking council officers to consider all possible options open to us to help our tourism industry."

Councillor Cooke does, however, stand by the council's decision to close public footpaths in the area in a bid to stop the spread of the disease.

Parish councillor Cliff Simmonds says: "The tourism industry is the biggest employer in Haworth and I am concerned that a lot of local jobs could be lost as a result of foot and mouth."