A NEW leaflet aimed at attracting day trippers and short break visitors to the Dartmoor area during the next two months will be dropping through South West letter boxes next week.

Visitor numbers to the moor are estimated to have dropped by some 40 per cent in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis.

The Dartmoor Tourist Association hopes the 100,000 A4 folded flyers will attract visitors to the moor from cities like Exeter and Plymouth and from areas as far afield as Bath and Birmingham.

The guides have been produced with support from Dartmoor National Park Authority, South Devon Tourism Association, West Devon Borough Council and Teignbridge District Council.

Sally Baber, project officer with the DTA, said: 'Although most of the moor is not available for activities such as off-road walking, cycling or horse-riding, there are still many attractions which are open.'

The leaflet will include a map-style guide to what is open on the moor, information on how to find accommodation and advice to people using the moor under foot and mouth restrictions.

'This represents a positive move from the DTA, DNPA, SDTA, TDC and WDBC. It is designed to show visitors that this part of the countryside is open for business,' said Ms Baber.

'It also tells members of the association, whose livelihoods are being threatened by the virus and subsequent negative media coverage, that we are taking a proactive stance to help save the moor's tourist industry.'

The DTA is also working to secure funding for a range of schemes to help hard-hit businesses and promote a positive image of Dartmoor.

Ms Baber said: 'The DTA is holding a number of internal and external meetings to formulate various highly innovative and publicity generating campaigns but at the moment, much of this has to be kept under wraps.

'We are also working hard with our MPs to make sure Dartmoor gets as much government support as possible.'