A year on since the foot-and-mouth crisis decimated the tourism trade, north Wales businessmen have turned to the internet in a bid to boost visitors to the region.

A group of local businesses have got together to promote the attractions of Loggerheads Country Park and its surrounding villages across the world.

The local tourist industry was hit very badly and this is one way to assist it get it back on its feet

David Scruton, Businessman

The move comes after restrictions imposed during the agriculture crisis virtually halted tourism last year.

The Welsh Assembly has backed the scheme with a �13,000 grant for a three-year programme to increase visitor numbers.

Loggerheads and the surrounding countryside between Mold and Ruthin is a magnet for walkers and country lovers.

But people who run shops, pubs, bed and breakfast outlets and garages in the area say many pass through the countryside without realising what it has to offer.

Tourist Industry

Now, in a bid to get the local tourist industry back on its feet, the new Loggerheads Business Group, with the aid of funding from the Welsh Assembly, has set up a website.

Chairman David Scruton said the internet site would make sure that everyone got to know about the area.

He said: "A lot of people lost a lot of money because of the foot and mouth restrictions.

"The local tourist industry was hit very badly and this is one way to assist it to get it back on its feet.

"The internet site will promote the area locally, regionally and world-wide."

Supernatural History

The area is bounded by Loggerhead and Moel Famau country parks, Offa's Dyke footpath, and the villages of Eryrys, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Llanferres and Maeshafn, which had historical sites.

"Our first programme was to create an active website promoting the area, its many attractions and businesses offering tourist related services in the area," said Mr Scruton.

The country park and its local villages were regarded by many as somewhere to pass through on their way to Snowdon and Ireland.

Mr Scruton, who runs a local bed and breakfast believes the area has not been promoted enough.

He says that the region is steeped in history going back to the days of King Arthur.

But the site also lists other things of interest including its supernatural history and local ghost stories.