Planned rail strikes at Easter are a blow to tourism promoters hoping for a boost after the foot and mouth epidemic.

The stoppages are expected to hit holidaymakers and day trippers.

Some 600 conductors working for Arriva Trains Northern are to stage a 24-hour strike from midnight on Thursday, March 28, and 48-hour stoppages from midnight on Friday, April 5, and Friday, May 3.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers will also be balloted for further action short of strike.

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

"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 inquiries about places to stay, so this news is particularly disappointing."

Jim Shipley, of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, said: "Quite a few people travel here by train so a strike will make an impact.

''But a lot of day trippers will come here by alternative transport or just choose another day." He said a stoppage over more than one day was more likely to have a bigger impact.

Councillor Glen Miller (Con, Worth Valley) said he was concerned about the effects the strike would have.

He said: "It is going to hit visitors to the area and traders.

''Things were just beginning to pick up after foot and mouth.

"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."

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 more people stay in the county instead of travelling elsewhere by train."