Countryside closed off because of the foot-and-mouth crisis could be reopened to help the county's vital rural tourist industry.

West Sussex County Council will decide tomorrow which attractions can safely open in time for Easter.

The review comes as Whiteleaf Farm in Smallford on the Sussex border is tested for foot-and-mouth disease, fuelling fears the disease could spread to the county.

The farm has been closed for observation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food after a possible outbreak in a flock of sheep.

Tomorrow's meeting is expected to look at issues including which attractions involve visitors having to pass farms and livestock and whether alternative access can be found.

A spokesman said: "Easter is obviously an important time for our tourist attractions in rural areas and we will try to identify and then help publicise which can be visited without creating a risk.

Parham House, near Storrington, plans to reopen on Easter Sunday with disinfected straw at its gates and shoe baths for visitors.

A spokeswoman said: "We were due to open on April 1, but decided to put it back until Easter Sunday and we have been taking other precautions, including not encouraging deliveries from outside the county."

Dr Diana Owen, manager of National Trust-owned Petworth House said she hoped the home could open for Easter.

But Petworth Park, with its 1,000 strong herd of fallow deer, will remain closed for the immediate future. Dr Owen said: "I am hoping that the house might be able to open but, like all National Trust properties, we are in a state of limbo and hoping the crisis will become less severe."

The outbreak has caused the cancellation of the Heathfield and District Agricultural Show due to have taken place at Little Tottingworth Farm in Broad Oak on May 26.

Organisers had to cancel last year's event due to rain. Chairman David Unsworth White said: "After much debate, it was regretfully decided that current Government restrictions on animal movement prevent the society from holding the show."