Tourism bosses fear the foot-and-mouth crisis could devastate holiday trade in West Sussex.

Many outdoor visitor attractions are already closed and it could be weeks before they re-open.

There were fears today that foreign visitors could decide to give the county a wide berth as they plan their summer holidays.

Public footpaths over farmland have been closed and the South Downs Way national trail is out-of-bounds.

People in Worthing wanting to walk on the Downs are faced with signs saying No Entry and relatives may be banned from funerals at Worthing Crematorium if the crisis deepens further.

So far there have been no reported outbreaks in Sussex, but farmers were alarmed by an incidence of foot-and-mouth in Kent.

Fred Cubbage, managing director of the South East Tourist Board, said: "My concern is for the viability of those small hotels and B and Bs if this continues, and for the visitor attractions."

One of Sussex's biggest outdoor attractions, the Weald and Downland Museum, Singleton, has no idea when it will be able to reopen.

Acting director Richard Harris said: "Foot-and-mouth is a desperate situation for farmers, with whom we have great sympathy, but rural outdoor attractions such as ours are also badly affected."

Staff at Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, which closed on March 6 because of the crisis, are also counting the cost.

It is thought more than 5,000 people would have flocked through the doors in the week it has been shut, costing up to £25,000 in revenue.

A spokeswoman said: "Potentially a significant number of visitors have been lost.

"In line with a lot of people, we are run by what the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food say. We do not know when it will reopen."

Visitors to Borde Hill Garden, near Haywards Heath, are being asked to call before turning up.

The parkland and woods at the centre are closed and disinfectant mats have been put down.

The adventure playground and fishing lakes remain open to the public but the situation is being monitored.

A spokeswoman for the gardens, said: "Visitor numbers are down. This may be due to the foot and mouth outbreak but also the weather."