The threat of war in Iraq could hit this year's Open golf championship, with fears attendances will be down.

The four-day tournament traditionally attracts hundreds of thousands of fans, but businesses fear crowds will be down at this summer's event, being held at Sandwich in Kent.

Companies which rent houses near the course say inquiries about accommodation have been disappointing.

And they think that could be because overseas golf fans are scared about flying to Britain for the championship.

The Open is being held at the Royal St George's course at Sandwich for the first time since 1993 and local businesses had been hoping for a windfall.

Tension over Iraq could hit interest in golf

But while the world's top players still look certain to be in Kent in July, there are doubts over whether the usual high number of fans from the USA and Europe will be watching them.

Local letting firm Curlew Cottages has around 200 properties on its books and management say while there was a lack of available accommodation in Sandwich last time the Open was held there, bookings have been slower this year.

Coverage worth �60m

They say while a healthy number of corporate bookings have been made, business from other golf fans is slower.

Ray Haines of the Sandwich Chamber of Commerce is still hopeful of a big boost for the area - even if it comes after the tournament takes place.

He said: "Television coverage of this will be going out to over 90 countries around the world and on the final day it's expected that over 250 million will be watching.

"The coverage of that is of enormous benefit to this part of Kent. It's expected to bring in approximately �60m in benefits to the area.

"It's such a beautiful area and that's such a benefit with all those people seeing us."