MO Mowlam visited a Hampshire riverside pub to try to persuade the world that the countryside is open.

Dr Mowlam, minister for the Cabinet Office, stopped off at the Mayfly pub at Testcombe, near Stockbridge, on Saturday. She supped her drink and ate a snack.

Chatting to locals, Dr Mowlam said: "There is a clear message that the countryside is open even though foot-and-mouth in some areas is serious, such as in Devon and Cumbria, but for the rest of the country there is no problem.

"There is no reason in particular why people shouldn't come to the country pub as I have today."

It provided a welcome boost to the Mayfly which has seen its trade decline by thousands of pounds a weeks as customers stay away. Situated on the Test Way, the pub has been the number of hikers calling in plummet.

Manager Julie Lane said: "So far this year the walkers especially just aren't coming. Our trade is down but not as much as in the New Forest.

"We hope Dr Mowlam's visit will boost trade. A lot of people don't realise there are lovely places to come to, such as Stockbridge."

Her husband, Barry Lane, who has run the popular walkers' pub for almost 16 years, said: "There is no doubt about it that this is the worst situation we have found ourselves in in over 15 years. It is the lack of walkers that is affecting us. We are totally surrounded by walks and we have noticed takings drop," he said.

Dr Mowlam's visit coincided with the deployment of 80 Hampshire servicemen to Wales to help bring foot-and-mouth under control. Sailors from HMS Sultan in Gosport left their base on Saturday to join liaison teams from the Ministry of Defence and MAFF.