The tourism industry in the Keighley area is bracing itself for any knock-on effects from the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

With the closure of moorland and footpaths at Top Withens, Penistone Hill and Bront Waterfalls, traders in Haworth fear a downturn in tourists. However, they say that while there has been a slight reduction in visitors, the spread of the disease has not yet had a drastic effect on trade.

And they are hoping that the situation can be brought under control before the busy season.

Haworth Parish Council chairman Councillor Paul Brooks, who runs a bed and breakfast business and newsagents in Main Street, says: "It is having an impact and I've heard from one person who said there had been a few cancellations for a holiday cottage because people can't walk on the moors.

"Other than that, there doesn't seem to have affected businesses in Haworth a great deal because it's a quiet time of the year anyway.

"We haven't had any cancellations yet but obviously we are concerned that the situation with foot-and-mouth is under control before the peak season."

Carolyn Spencer, who represents the Bront Parsonage Museum and Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, says: "We were slightly affected a couple of weeks ago because people were panicking and unsure about the situation.

"We feel as though we are now attracting different types of visitors who are seeking something else to do as an alternative to walking on the moors. From the railway's and Parsonage's point of view, we are doing okay."

Liz Houseman, visitor services manager at East Riddlesden Hall, says: "We are due to open at the end of the month but we don't know if we will be able to open on that date.

"All National Trust properties are closed at the moment and we should hear today what is going to happen. Everything is being prepared as normal and basically the sooner we open the better."