TOURISM chiefs are urging visitors not to cancel their holidays to Ryedale despite the recent flood devastation.

Some homes and business in Pickering were hit badly by the flooding when the local beck burst its banks on Monday.

Many traders still don't know when they will be open again and are still counting the huge cost of the trail of destruction left in lower parts of the town.

But Ryedale District Council's tourism boss, Sarah Ward, was concerned she had heard that visitors cancelling their stay in Pickering due to the flooding earlier this week.

She is urging people to come and visit the picturesque market town.

"It's unnecessary for visitors to cancel their holiday," she said.

"Roads into the town have all re-opened and many visitors are enjoying their visit to Pickering in the sunshine."

Businesses at the bottom of the market place, Ropery and Park Street bore the brunt of the flooding.

But attractions such as the North Yorkshire Moors Railway are welcoming visitors are as the many shops which escaped the filthy flood waters.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is operating its normal service from Pickering through to Goathland and Grosmont.

But one tourist attraction still reeling from the terrible impact of the deluge is Beck Isle Museum.

Desperate staff and volunteers managed to save many artefacts including the Sydney Smith photographs but water gushed into the main building.

Despite the devastation the museum hopes to reopen the main collections and education room early next week.

It is thought that it will cost £20,000 to repair the damage - a cost that will have to be paid through donations.

Gordon Clitheroe, of Beck Isle Museum, who has recently celebrated setting up the attraction 40-years ago, is appealing for help.

He said: "We are working hard to reopen the museum, but the main issue now is the loss of carpets and supplies for the school parties.

"As these are not covered by the insurance company, we need all the support we can get as we don't have the funds to replace these immediately. We will be looking into setting up a trust fund for donations to help raise funds for the museum."