A task force has been set up to help the Yorkshire Dales tourist industry as the impact of foot-and-mouth disease continues to bite.

Craven Council is working with North Yorkshire County Council, which has set up the task force to look at what help it can give as the holiday season looms.

Already villagers in Malham and Grassington, near Skipton - two of the most popular tourist locations in the Yorkshire Dales National Park - are reeling from the impact of the disease.

All footpaths in the area are out of bounds following an outbreak in Hawes, Wensleydale, a fortnight ago.

The Malham visitor centre car park is deserted and local business are facing big financial losses.

And the number of tourists visiting Grassington visitor centre has plummeted. Last weekend there were just 184, compared with 904 the same weekend last year.

Romany Hall-Benson, who helps her mother to run Malham Caf, said: "We have not been open for the last four weeks. My mother has had to take on a full-time job to keep going."

Craven Council is also throwing a lifeline to farmers and businesses hit by the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

It follows Environment Minister Michael Meacher's announcement that the Government is considering slashing the business rates of people affected by the crisis.

And he is urging people not to shy away from visiting county towns and villages.

He said today: "The best way to restore the health of the rural economy is for people to visit the countryside safely."

Craven Council is urging farmers and businesses to contact its finance unit in Skipton to discuss short-term assistance.

Council chief executive Rachel Mann said: "Our major concern is that some farms also run small tourist businesses as well, like bed and breakfast, and they could be devastated."

The Council could help by looking at the possibility of offering some relief on council tax and businesses could apply for a temporary reduction through the valuation office.

A County Council spokesman said it was safe to visit the countryside as long as people kept away from farmland and livestock.

lA heritage railway is continuing to run despite the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, near Skipton, is preparing for events during the Easter holiday. But it is taking precautions to prevent infection.

Business manager Stephen Walker said: "We have installed disinfectant mats at both Embsay and Bolton Abbey stations."