TOURIST chiefs are urging people not to desert the Hampshire countryside in the wake of the foot and mouth outbreak.

Footpaths and bridleways near the infected farms in Surrey have been closed to the public - but no restrictions have been imposed in rural areas across Hampshire.

However, visitors are being urged to heed all the bio-security measures that farmers and landowners have put in place to prevent the disease spreading.

Rural tourist attractions in Hampshire draw people from all over the south, including Surrey.

Disinfectant mats have been placed at the entrances to Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, and Longdown Activity Farm, near Ashurst, to protect the animals.

Any drop in visitor numbers at the height of the summer tourist season would have a disastrous impact on the county's rural economy.

Hampshire County Council leader Ken Thornber said: "We want people to continue to enjoy the Hampshire countryside but we all need to do what we can to minimise the risk of the disease spreading."

New Forest Tourism Association says the popular holiday destination is open for business as usual.

However, the area has not escaped unscathed. As reported in the Daily Echo, the Ellingham Show - due to have been held at Somerley House, near Ringwood, today has been cancelled because of the national ban on all animal movements.

Elsewhere in Hampshire the Alresford Agricultural Show is still scheduled to go ahead on September 1 but is unlikely to include any livestock.