IT was Eastleigh's tourism unit that inspired Jenny Schwausch to launch a bed and breakfast business.

Now she is angry that the unit could become one of the sacrificial lambs as the council's budget-makers wield the knife to keep council tax increases below inflation.

The council's financial wizards say the full year effect of axing the service will be a saving of £111,400. However, Jenny, pictured above, believes it is short-sighted to save money by targeting a tourist industry which last year was worth more than £77m to the borough.

The mother of four also believes that the tourism unit has played a major role in helping the borough to shed its "beastly Eastleigh" image.

Visitor figures have soared as the borough, which stretches to the famous shores of the Hamble, has been put firmly on the tourist map.

Jenny says the tourism unit has played a major part in boosting trade at her B&B, which is now in its third year at Strawberry Cottage in Shamblehurst Manor, Hedge End.

She says: "We were inspired to open our B&B as a result of a course run by the tourism unit. It covered health and safety, environmental health and legal issues.

"It encouraged people such as ourselves to provide much-needed accommodation throughout the borough.

"Had it not been for these sessions it is doubtful that we would have opened at all." Jenny added: "If they close the tourism unit a lot of opportunities will be lost."

She is concerned about the future of crowd-pulling events, such as the Hamble Valley Food and Drink Festival, which last year attracted 24,000 visitors who spent about £384,000.

Meanwhile a "save the tourism unit" campaign is getting under way.

Marguerite and Leonard Mitcham, who run a bed and breakfast at Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh, have fired off a protest letter to Eastleigh Liberal Democrat MP David Chidgey.

Mr Mitcham said: "The tourism unit is absolutely marvellous. I was aghast that they could ever consider closing it."

In their letter to the MP, the Mitchams speak of their concern that because of spending cutbacks, the Liberal Democrat-controlled council is curtailing the current tourist services operation.

The couple say: "It is both short-sighted and without any vision for the continuing health of Eastleigh."

Council leader Keith House said: "The council is committed to improving its most important services and to keep council tax increases below inflation.

"Our research suggests that the majority of tourism is stimulated by activities other than those from the borough council."