HOLIDAYMAKERS are returning to the Okehampton area according to many local businesses who have been 'pleasantly surprised' by the upturn in trade over the Easter period.

Although Okehampton did not experience its usual Easter boom, some shops and accommodation providers have reported good takings.

The White Hart Hotel in Okehampton was full on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and manager Graham Watts said a fair amount of that was passing trade.

'We really did not know what to expect because the town has been so quiet,' he said. 'It was a pleasant surprise to be so busy — I believe several people who stayed here were travelling on to the coastal areas in Cornwall.'

Another business which maximised on people travelling down to Cornwall for the Eden Project was Betty Cottles on the outskirts of Okehampton.

Manager Derek Wilson said all the accommodation around St Austell was booked up so people split their journeys by staying in Okehampton.

'I would say that 90 cent of the accommodation business over the weekend was walk-in trade,' he said.

'The tourists are not around like they normally are in Okehampton and we have not had the Ten Tors training groups staying here because the event has been cancelled.

'Fortunately, the restaurant side of the business has picked right up because people have got fed up with staying at home.

'The farming community are still not coming out for drinks and dinners — but the residents in the town are.'

Ann Cooper, of The Tors at Belstone, which relies heavily on custom from Dartmoor backpackers and walkers, also reported a good trade in meals thanks to great local support.

'We have no bed and breakfast trade but the food side was good,' she said.

'We cannot really complain with the circumstances as they are at the moment.'

Staff at Castle Drogo, which opened up again last Thursday, said they had a good mix of locals and holidaymakers and things were picking up.

'Business was 15 per cent down on last year but that is not too bad considering the way things are,' said administration officer Nicky Cross.

Manager of Donald's Menswear in Okehampton, Ian Pitts said there were a lot of people around town and that included holidaymakers.

'There were definitely visitors around because we had several in the shop,' he said.

'Our trade was much better than it has been for several weeks and I would say it was not far behind our normal Easter takings.'

Trips aboard vintage buses organised by Dartmoor Railway on Easter Sunday went down a storm and passenger numbers on the Dartmoor Pony Service were up on last year.

Hatherleigh's initiative to 'invite a friend for Easter' was well supported.

The town had a small increase in visitors but deputy chairman of the Hatherleigh Business Association, Tim Brandon-King said people were still being put off by the negative images on TV.

'Unfortunately whenever a more positive story amidst the foot and mouth crisis is featured on TV it is preceded or ended with pictures of dead animals and smoke,' he said.

'People are getting the impression that this is all they will see if they come to the countryside which is not true.

'If they look hard enough they can see bodies and bonfires but is is quite possible to come on holiday here and not see these things at all.'

Mr Brandon-King said the revived Tuesday markets and re-opening of the auctions were continuing to bring more visitors to Hatherleigh.