People are being urged not to turn their backs on the district's tourist draws.

The plea comes as many of Britain's traditional visitor hotspots, such as the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, are suffering a huge slump in trade.

Many people, unable to walk in large areas of countryside due to the foot and mouth crisis, are staying at home.

Now Keighley MP Ann Cryer has made a plea for the public to continue to support local tourist attractions as they gear up for what is normally their busiest time of the year.

She raised the issue during a Commons debate and made special mention of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, of which she is president.

Mrs Cryer told us: "Easter has always been the railway's busiest time but I am terrified that this year the foot and mouth situation will deter people from visiting.

"My hope is that although large sections of the local moors are out of bounds to walkers, people will still enjoy and support the many things Haworth and Keighley have to offer."

The Youth Hostel Association said this week that over 120 of its properties - including the Haworth building - were open as normal.

At Haworth, hostel staff are busy with several visiting groups and individuals.

Parties which would have incorporated a moorland walk into their itineraries are being given help to rearrange their plans to take in other local attractions.

YHA chief executive Roger Clarke said: "While rural walking routes and reserves may be closed as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak, there is still a wealth of local attractions and activities to be enjoyed in many beautiful locations across the country.

"Obviously walkers will be restricted - and we have closed youth hostels in farming areas which would be affected by visitors - but that still leaves many thousands of people free to visit our wonderful city, coastal and town hostels.

"Our managers can tell guests what local attractions are open for business as normal. In fact people's stays could be enhanced by the situation as roads may be less crowded and many attractions are offering discounts to attract and regain the confidence of the visitor."

l One local attraction which has been closed due to the crisis, along with all other National Trust properties in the region, is East Riddlesden Hall.

The 17th-century mansion was scheduled to reopen next weekend for the summer season, but bosses said this week that the opening had been put on ice.

Spokesman Liz Houseman said: "At the moment we don't know when we will be back in operation.

"It is a frustrating and worrying time for us but there is little we can do."

l The annual Bront Vintage Gathering, due to be held at Cullingworth on April 28 and 29, has been postponed because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Last year the event raised a staggering £10,000 for Manorlands, the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

The event - staged on a farmer's field at Haworth Road - is now rescheduled for September 15 and 16.

Manorlands fundraiser Chris Bown said: "The decision to postpone the event was taken at a meeting on Monday night. Naturally we are disappointed that it cannot go ahead as planned, but we felt that given the current situation the decision was the right one."