TOURISM minister Kim Howells took to the water at Roadford last week to launch a new initiative aimed at getting tourists back into the South West in the aftermath of the foot and mouth crisis.

Sail South West is a joint project involving the regional tourist board, regional development agency and the British Marine Industries' Federation.

They are hoping to attract more people to Devon and Cornwall by promoting the many and varied watersports that can be had on the peninsula's inland waterways and 640 miles of coastline.

Sail South West aims to offer something for everyone from families and first-timers through fun-seeking individuals to dedicated sports men and women.

After his jaunt around Roadford with South West Lakes Trust's head of watersports James Platts and director Evelyn Stacey, Dr Howells was enthusiastic.

'I think this is one of the best projects I've seen anywhere. It's ideal — I can just turn up not knowing anything and learn the basic skills in an afternoon — it's a great idea,' he said.

Dr Howells, more normally to be found scaling some lofty mountain peak, added: 'I've never really trusted the water, but I really enjoyed myself out there today.'

He was optimistic the project would draw people to the South West, but said it was important to market it.

Pressed on the relatively small amount of money the Government had offered the South West for just this purpose — only £170,000 compared with £13-million for Scotland and £6-million for Wales, despite the region attracting more visitors than both countries and being harder hit by foot and mouth — Dr Howells said he would be pressing the Government for more, but he said he was more concerned that the money was spent in the best way possible.

He urged the tourism industry to speak with a single voice and said it needed greater cohesion if it were to get people into the area to profit from projects such as this.

'It is positive joint initiatives such as Sail South West that are very welcome. They show that by working together the tourism industry is looking to the longer term, putting foot and mouth behind them and getting on with developing their product for the modern holiday-maker,' he said. 'This venture is sure to make getting wet on a British holiday a lot more fun.'

Simon Bradley, head of operations for South West Tourism, said: 'We want to highlight the fun of sailing and other water activities and demonstrate that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

'To take part in water sports you do not have to own a boat or surfboard or earn a huge salary. There are many companies offering excursions for the complete novice through to the "tried it in the past, wouldn't mind giving it another go" type of person — with the right equipment and tuition, it only takes a couple of hours to pick up the basics and have fun.'

More information is available on the website http://www.sailsouthwest.com">www.sailsouthwest.com