Sheepdog-herding geese helped bring a taste of country living to London on Sunday as a week of rural activities around the country began.

Joan Collins joined rural affairs minister Alun Michael to support the "Your Countryside, You're Welcome" campaign and promote a week of events by the National Trust.

The heart of the West End was transformed into a country fair for the occasion featuring animals, including the geese, market stalls and rural skills demonstrations.

The campaign was set up to help the recovery of hundreds of rural businesses, which were hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001.

Welly-throwing

The movement has brought together around 50 organisations, many of which set up stalls to provide information and promote the countryside.

Leicester Square played host to a range of activities, including welly-throwing and morris dancing.

The day's festivities were to promote 100 events set up by the National Trust to be held throughout next week as part of its annual programme.

Special events across the country include a walk up the Troutbeck Valley in Cumbria and a woodland wander at Gibside, Tyne and Wear.

Tony Burton, the National Trust's policy and strategy director, said: "The recovery of rural areas after the crisis of foot-and-mouth depends on people voting with their feet to enjoy all that it has to offer.

"The economic health of the countryside depends on its beauty, character and rich history and their enjoyment by millions."