A FUNDING package to market Devon in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis has been described as a 'drop in the ocean' by West Devon MP John Burnett and tourism leaders.

Devon became the first county this week to launch a Tourism Recovery Plan to bring holidaymakers back but the £170,000 budget is said to fall short of what is needed by nearly £4 million.

Mr Burnett said he would be joining with other MPs in the county to push the Government for the £180 million requested by the council to help Devon's economy bounce back.

'Any money is welcome but we need something of substance here and not just a one off grant,' he said. '£170,000 is just a drop in the ocean.'

The MP said it was disappointing that a conference at County Hall to discuss the Devon Recovery Plan was being held on the same day as the Queen's Speech in Westminster, so none of the county's MPs could attend.

'This is a top priority and I will be requesting a meeting with MPs and Devon County Council in the House of Commons as soon as possible so we can push for this funding,' he said.

Chairman of the Devon Association of Tourist Attractions Chris Murray said the funding from the Government was 'very small.'

'The Government should be thoroughly ashamed of itself,' he said. 'Some attractions spend more than that on their own marketing budget each year.

'What is so irritating is that the only action we saw from the Government was when London reported that it was 10 per cent down on visitor numbers. This showed just how insignificant we are.'

At the launch of the recovery plan, which features the strapline 'Devon Open —All Year Round', at Powderham Castle on Monday tourism leaders estimated that £4 million a year is needed to be spent to get the tourism industry back on its feet.

The Tourism Recovery Plan is one part of the far reaching Devon Recovery Plan launched by Devon County Council last month, which is currently out for consultation.

The tourism marketing campaign will target people in London, the South East, South West, Midlands and Wales and will begin with a 'Devon is Open Weekend' on June 30/July 1 when the county will throw its doors open to visitors with special offers and discounts.

Latest forecasts indicate that Devon will lose £357 million in tourism revenue this year and potentially 11,000 jobs as a result of the fall in visitors due to foot and mouth.

Spokesperson for the Tourism Recovery Plan Partnership Janet Reynolds said it was very important to have some funding in place now so this year's season was not written off.

'The Devon is Open campaign will concentrate on delivering results fast for businesses dependent upon the tourist trade and limiting losses this year,' she said.

'Rumours of the county's closure have been much exaggerated and our priority now is to get visitors back as fast as possible and enjoying the sun, sea, sand and countryside that is very much open to the public.'

Devon tourist attractions, accommodation plus rail companies will be offering free or discounted rates. In addition Dartmoor National Park will be re-opening virtually all access with a series of free guided walks and events.

Manager of Okehampton Youth Hostel John Elson, who is offering a free half day rock climbing session if people book an overnight stay, said although tourism businesses desperately needed some income he was still concerned about foot and mouth disease.

'Dartmoor National Park Authority said it would reopen the moor on July 1 as long as there were no new outbreaks within 10 kilometres of the moor,' he said. 'The outbreak at Bondleigh at the weekend is very close to 10km.

'I am concerned that we may be jumping too quickly and it could be counter productive for us here in Okehampton.'