DARTMOOR Tourist Association was delighted at the record turnout at it annual meeting held at Buckland Abbey recently.

More than half the members came to the meeting, which was attended by the chief executive of South West Tourism, Malcolm Bell.

A new board of directors was elected, including new directors Alison Kohler of Dartmoor National Park Authority, Philippa Hughes of the Holne Chase Hotel at Ashburton, Gabrielle Cross of Brimpts Farm and Alan Pope from Two Bridges Hotel.

Philip Davies, new chairman of the board, said: ?Dartmoor is a truly wonderful place to visit, a privilege to live in and above all, a special place that needs to be preserved and protected.

?The recent foot and mouth epidemic proved that a viable, buoyant local tourist industry is essential if residents and visitors are to continue to enjoy Dartmoor. It is essential the DTA continues to lead in encouraging visitors ? tourists are Dartmoor?s very life-blood.?

A new initiative is to be launched by the DTA, called Moor to Stay For, which aims to encourage the conversion from day visitor to overnight visitor and will feature autumn events and short breaks. They include Heritage Open Weekends, Wildlife Weekends, a Writers? Weekend and a Children?s Special for half-term.

A brochure detailing the programme was due to be sent to tourist outlets this week.