TOURISTS heeded a Government plea to visit the countryside and supported Worcestershire's attractions during the Bank Holiday weekend.

Ministers and MPs were given directives to be seen to be actively backing rural industries in the hope that the public would follow suit.

Tessa Jowell, Employment Minister, visited Witley Court, near Worcester, on Saturday to see what was on offer for tourists.

The MP for Dulwich and West Norwood is staying in the region during the Parliamentary recess.

"Despite the foot-and-mouth outbreak there are wonderful and very popular attractions like this which are open," said Ms Jowell.

"People shouldn't be put off from visiting the countryside.

"Ministers are doing everything they can to support the tourist industry and farmers.

"If you live in London or one of the other large cities you think the countryside is all shut down, but that's not the case.

"It's worth getting in your car and coming out to places like this. There are lots of things to do."

During the Easter break, the English Heritage property would expect to greet 1,000 visitors.

"Witley Court is our fastest growing monument, said Margaret Oakden, West Midlands properties manager.

"The number of visitors coming here is going up at a phenomenal rate.

"It's always very nice to have such good support from Government Ministers ensuring people that sites like this are open."

But despite the effort, the West Midland Safari Park said numbers were down on last year.

The Bewdley attraction operated a park-and-ride system using a fleet of coaches instead of allowing individual cars through into the animal reserves.

"Considering all the problems, we're very pleased with how we did," said Wendy Jackson of the Bewdley visitor attraction.

"Numbers were lower than last year but we had good support.

"The coach system is proving to be quite popular. We had around 20 coaches doing a continuous drive around the park."

Severn Valley Railway bosses said they too were pleased at the weekend turnout, which saw them carry 6,600 passengers, 14.5 per cent up on last year.

"Whether it was the weather that made people come out we don't know, but we were pleased with the turnout," said Dewi Jones, traffic manager.

"The Hogwarts Express proved to be quite popular and we hope to run it again this weekend."