THERE can't have been a more turbulent time to launch a business than in the days when foot and mouth struck the Dales.

But just weeks before the first confirmed outbreak in Craven last May, the new Skipton Tourist Information Centre (TIC) opened its doors to the public.

Staff and volunteers could never have anticipated the thousands of questions they were bombarded with about the disease.

The newly formed team quickly became experts, keeping callers up-to-date on where they could walk, attractions that were open and the spread of the disease.

Looking back over their first year, centre manager Sue Swales said: "What a turbulent year. This time last year was one of the darkest times, which impacted on the whole community."

Throughout the summer tourists and visitors keen to get out and about in the countryside inundated the TIC with questions.

Mrs Swales said that at first they were sympathetic but as time went on and the situation got no better they became frustrated and impatient.

But thankfully the spread of the disease stopped and eventually the countryside was reopened.

"Now things are very different, the atmosphere has changed, everyone is delighted the walking restrictions have been lifted. I don't think there is anywhere else in the country that boasts what we have got," said Mrs Swales.

On average 200 people per day visit the centre on Coach Street (57,500 a year) and staff receive about 50 phone calls a day.

The calls include inquiries about events, attractions, walks, disabled access, accommodation, travel timetables, and market days. One volunteer was a little out of her depth when a woman described a place in her dream and then asked the assistant if she knew where it was!

Above and beyond the call of duty were the volunteers who put three pensioners in a taxi to Sheffield after they missed their coach home and turned up at the TIC upset and asking for help.

The new centre opened on Coach Street on April 14 2001.

The town, famous for its tourism trade, had been without a TIC for six months.

"We are now so busy here," said Mrs Swales. "It is beyond our expectations. Easter this year was fantastic the place was so busy."

Thankfully as well as tourists using the TIC during its difficult first year, many local people have also supported the venture. They have used it as an information point for local events, to buy tickets for theatre productions and to buy Yorkshire merchandise for friends and family.

Chairman of the centre's management board Judith Hughes said she was keen for more local people to use the services. She said that local groups could leave leaflets about their events, and the TIC was hoping to stock Skipton merchandise in the near future.

Residents can even get information about other tourist centres if they are going on holiday.

Over the coming year Mrs Hughes said the centre would be looking to secure more funding as well as producing a mini-guide to the town and looking for more volunteers.

A spokesman for centre sponsors Skipton Building Society said: "This is the second year Skipton Building Society has supported the TIC. The staff do an excellent job providing a helpful and informative service for all the visitors to the towns.

"Bearing in mind the difficulties faced by Skipton and its rural communities last year, sponsoring the TIC is a fantastic way for the society to help generate a return to the Dales by tourists. We look forward to continuing the partnership in the future."