Tourism operators have celebrated a "fabulous" Easter a year after the foot-and-mouth crisis caused millions of pounds to drain away from the local economy.

Efforts to entice visitors back and sunny forecasts brought day-trippers and holidaymakers out in force, helping the industry rebound from the effects of September 11 and foot-and-mouth.

Lake shore towns like Bowness were bustling and fell tops welcomed back walkers, while indoor attractions also fared well, particularly when the drizzle set in.

Cumbria Tourist Board's operations director Ian Stephens said: "It seems to have been a fabulous weekend - we have had lots of positive reports from around the county which is tremendous news.

"Information centres were particularly busy.

People were calling in and expressing their delight that things were back to normal."

It is hoped the bumper bank holiday marks the start of a buoyant season.

"We are very optimistic, and there are very strong forward bookings," said Mr Stephens.

"But it is a very competitive market and we have to keep working hard to promote and make sure people know we are still open for business."

Last Easter saw the epidemic taking its toll locally as dwindling visitor numbers started to hit hard.

Hundreds of employees were being laid off and tourism chiefs warned of weekly business losses scaling £10m as they lobbied for rescue funds.

Instead of gearing up for a busy break, the area was bracing itself for the arrival of the virus.

But this Easter saw 'No Vacancies' signs going up around the Lakes as the crowds flocked in.

Ambleside TIC's manager Simon Blyth said it was " one of the best Easters" for a while with accommodation in demand.

"Towards Wednesday and Thursday there were no vacancies around the central lakes that we knew of.

By Thursday and Friday it was getting ridiculous."

Windermere TIC' s David Hewkin said the centre had welcomed 6,098 visitors - a 14 per cent rise on 2001 - with takings up 52 per cent.

"My feeling is a lot of people who would have come last year probably came this Easter."

Regular visitors Elizabeth Forster and Paul Jackson, from York, were staying in Great Langdale, and were "delighted'" to be back.

"The atmosphere seems very positive," said Miss Forster.

"People aren't walking around with long faces whereas last year there was a general feeling of dread of what was going to happen next."

Attractions hosted special events, with many boasting something fresh for seasoned visitors.

Windermere Lake Cruises laid on extra cruises and reported "excellent" trade on the boats and at Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway.

Rheged, near Penrith, was also "extremely busy" after the weather turned, with several tourist-packed coaches visiting.

Motorists got caught up in customary, slow-moving traffic on the main roads around the Lakes, while South Lakeland police were alerted to a number of crime incidents, including a spate of thefts around the district.

On the fells, Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team aided a 28-year-old woman, from Leyburn, North Yorkshire, who slipped on Pike Howe on Good Friday, sustaining a suspected leg fracture.

The woman, who asked not to be named, was taken to Westmorland General Hospital.