A YEAR after foot and mouth closed most of the National Park to visitors, bookings for August are approaching record levels.

The claim came from the Dartmoor Tourist Association, which said this summer already looked like a success.

Acting chairman Adam Southwell, who owns Prince Hall — one of the hotels forced to close during the peak months of 2001 — said the feedback they were getting from members in the accommodation, restaurant, pub and leisure business made it clear things were 'looking decidedly better'.

'Obviously, last year was terrible for most of us, so we must go back two years to form an opinion on the way things are going. As a result I would say there has been an increase of about 10% on the year 2000, with every prospect of August proving to be a bumper month.'

Much of the transformation was put down to the DTA's recovery campaign, backed with funding from the Foot and Mouth Recovery Plan, designed to encourage visitors to return to Dartmoor.

The Dartmoor Guide 2002, a new Dartmoor Accommodation Booking Hotline and the creation of a new website http://www.discoverdartmoor.com">www.discoverdartmoor.com have all contributed to the success story, Mr Southwell said.

Anyone wishing to advertise in the guide for 2003 by becoming a member of the DTA can contact 01822 890567 or mail [email protected]">[email protected] The deadline is tomorrow, Friday, August 16.