Keighley and the surrounding area saw a boost in tourist numbers over the Easter weekend.

The upturn comes as a clear sign that the rural tourism economy is beginning to recover, following a year of foot and mouth restrictions.

The Haworth Tourist Information Centre received over 5,800 visitors regarding events and things to see and do in the Haworth and Keighley area.

The announcement of the figures brought a huge sigh of relief from many in the area who rely on tourism, after seeing the industry throughout Britain decimated by the restrictions.

Local attractions were encouraged by the turnout, doing brisk business over the weekend, as the crowds took advantage of the Easter sunshine.

East Riddlesden Hall saw a marked rise in visitor numbers, around 17 per cent up on last year.

Visitor services manager, Liz Houseman, said: "Our visitors were up by 285 on last year, which is a lot. We had about 2,000 people in over the weekend and many more paying visitors than last year.

"We were hoping that it would be busy because we had done a lot of campaigning nationally"

Worth Valley Railway also experienced a healthy influx of sightseers over the weekend, although a spokesman said that Monday was unusually quiet.

Jim Shipley said: "It's been a pretty good weekend all in.

"We haven't had the figures yet to compare them to last year but Friday, Saturday and Sunday were very busy.

"One thing I have noticed though is that Monday seemed quieter than other years.

"A few years back the bank holiday Monday was always the busiest day of the weekend."

Alan Bentley, manager of the Bront Parsonage Museum was also confident that the popular attraction had maintained last year's figures.

He said: "We haven't got the figures for the weekend yet but I think it was about the same as last year.

"It wasn't record breaking though, I think many people went up into the Dales instead because they couldn't last year."

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "All reports from local attractions so far suggest that, in real terms, the number of people visiting the Haworth and Keighley area over Easter is up from last year.

"Many visitors also came to walk on the famous Bront moors and surrounding countryside.

"Something they were unable to do last year due to the foot and mouth closures."

Sharon Sunter, economic development officer for Craven District Council, said: "There are more than 400 B&Bs in our area, which stretches from Skipton, Cross Hills and Sutton-in-Craven up to Settle, Grassington and Ingleton, and with regard to B&B bookings for the summer we've had reports that they are up and going well, so all the signs are optimistic.

"We've also had thousands of requests from people all over the country for our latest Yorkshire Dales Official Holiday Guide, which is well up on the number we normally get.

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