VISITOR attractions in Wyre Forest have been boosted by news no new cases of foot and mouth disease have been reported in the district.

The Government, keen to press home the message the countryside is open for business, has said it is "essential" the tourism industry resumes normal service as soon as possible.

Following last week's restricted opening of the West Midland Safari Park, most of the foremost tourist attractions in Wyre Forest and the surrounding area are welcoming the public.

Despite the district's status as an exclusion zone, traditional Easter activities have been given the go-ahead at Witley Court and Harvington Hall, while it was business as usual at the Severn Valley Railway after refurbishment at Bewdley Station.

Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle opened on Monday.

The Staffordshire and Worcester-shire Canal, which runs through the heart of Kidderminster and Stourport, reopened at the weekend under "stringent" restrictions.

Boaters must follow special disinfectant procedures and not stop along towpaths which are still closed under guidelines issued by British Waterways, the National Farmers' Union and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

District MP David Lock said the measures, which also involve boaters only leaving their craft on foot at pre-agreed points, had been designed to boost tourism which had been hit by the canal's closure.

Following further risk assessments by forest managers, schoolchildren were allowed back into parts of the Wyre Forest on Monday.

Pre-booked parties are now allowed to visit Wyre Forest Discovery Centre, Callow Hill, and to use a "limited area" of woodland for study.

Children will have to wear wellington boots or old shoes which can be disinfected and will be supervised to ensure they stay close to the centre.

But staff warned the rest of the woodland and visitor centre would remain closed until disease precautions are lifted.

The foot and mouth crisis has, however, put paid to another countryside attraction for children from all over the Midlands.

The Menagerie children's farm, Abberley, a popular Easter attraction which features hundreds of animals, could be closed until Christmas.

Owner Tracy Ballard said the farm was disease-free but was closed to prevent risk of infection as visitors drive through a farmyard to access the site.

She said she was "philosophical" about the closure and added: "I know there are many other people and businesses in a much worse situation."

Staff at the restored metal-working forge at Churchill have cancelled the traditional Easter Monday open day as they are keen not to attract visitors to the area for fear of spreading foot and mouth.

But they hoped other open days, starting on May 13, would go ahead as planned.