The planned rail strike this Easter has come as a blow to tourism promoters hoping for a boost following the foot and mouth epidemic.

The stoppages are expected to hit holidaymakers and day trippers.

The 600 conductors working for Arriva Trains Northern will stage a 24 hour strike from midnight on Thursday, March 28, and 48-hour stoppages from midnight on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, and Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4.

Sharon Sunter, Craven District Council's economic development officer, said it was bad news for the tourist trade in Skipton and the Dales.

"Following the problems of foot and mouth everybody was looking forward to a good Easter and there are very positive signs that things are picking up," she said.

"Visitor numbers have increased in the first quarter and so have enquiries about places to stay, so this news is particularly disappointing."

Jim Shipley of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway said he expected a marginal impact on visitors to the line.

"Quite a few people travel here by train and so a strike will make an impact," he said.

"But a lot of day trippers will come here by alternative transport - either car or bus - or just chose another day."

He said a stoppage over more than one day was more likely to have a bigger impact.

Keighley Tory councillor Glen Miller (Worth Valley) said he was very concerned about the effects the strike would have locally.

"It is going to hit visitors to the area and local traders. Things were just beginning to pick up after the foot and mouth problem.

"I have sympathy with the strikers but it is up to the union and management to get together and sort it out before it gets worse," he said.

Yorkshire Tourist Board figures reveal that 13 per cent of all journeys in the county are taken by rail.

A spokesman said: "To look at the positive side, it might mean that more people will be staying in the county instead of travelling elsewhere by train."