Northern Ireland hopes for tourist boost

Visitors to Northern Ireland are being allowed greater access to rural areas, as the foot-and-mouth crisis eases.

A number of museums, castles, country parks and beaches are open for the Easter weekend.

In County Antrim, tourists can visit Antrim Castle Gardens, Carnfunnock Country Park and Portrush Nature Reserve.

Other places open include Drumkeeragh Forest in County Down and Ulster History Park in Omagh, County Tyrone. The Botanic Gardens are also open in Belfast.

A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said visitors should ring to check on restrictions before travelling.

The telephone number is 028 9043 4660.