MARLOW'S tourist trade has taken a battering with visitors being scared-off by the foot and mouth crisis.

The town's tourist trade generates millions of pounds each year, with the summer months being the most lucrative period.

The area's major hotels have all reported a decline in weekend trippers, describing the slump as a concern.

The Compleat Angler hotel on Marlow Bridge said its weekend leisure bookings were down 25 per cent on last year.

Hotel Manager Giorgio Borgonovo said: "I am definitely worried. We are doing our best to inform our guests, telling them we are still here. People are thinking they will not be able to walk down by the river or on the footpaths.

"It is difficult to say whether things will pick up or not."

Colin Berks, president of Marlow's Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said he was concerned but added the town's visitor attractions were not affected by the crisis.

Danesfield House in Medmenham said weekend bookings were down 15 per cent.

The hotel has stepped up its national advertising campaign, taking out space in magazines like Vogue and House and Garden, to prepare for the shortfall in guests.

But with no effect on their foreign visitors, manager Brian Miller says the situation was not as bad as they were expecting.

"We are not complacent and it is too early to tell how our June bookings are going to be affected."

A spokesman for Buckinghamshire County Council said it was accelerating the rate at which it was opening public rights of way with a view to opening at least 50 per cent by the end of the month.

Mike Woods, countryside manager for the county council, said: "We would like to thank the public of Bucks for their forbearance and support during this crisis and for doing their bit in keeping the disease out of the county.

"We ask the public to be patient while we are in the process of opening up further rights of way."