RYEDALE pubs will be celebrating New Year with renewed energy after a year many rural businesses would like to forget.

As the country struggled to combat the spread of foot and mouth disease, countryside pubs saw a slump in sales with customers staying away in their droves.

But now pub owners are urging the party-goers to return and join in the spirit of things.

Lofty Braithwaite, chairman of Malton Licensed Victuallers' Association and landlord at the Royal Oak Hotel in Malton, said he hoped people would be out in force on New Year's Eve.

He said: "We are just going to be open as normal, but we are expecting it to be very busy.

"I think next year business has to improve for rural businesses.

"Hopefully, things are going to change, and I'm confident that they will get better."

Rural pubs further afield are banking on a bumper turnout to boost their flagging takings.

Philip Lee, landlord at the New Inn, Cropton, said his business had been severely affected because of the foot and mouth crisis.

He said: "People are still very wary about coming out and spending money after what has gone on in the last year."

But Mr Lee said bookings were looking good for New Year's Eve and he hoped everyone would look forward to parties in pubs across the district.

Andrew Pern, licensee at the Star Inn, Harome, said he would be holding a party in a marquee behind the pub, with a disco, live band and roulette table for charity.

The black-tie "do" is a regular feature, and Mr Pern said he was determined customers would welcome in the New Year with enthusiasm.

He said: "I think at the end of the year people will reflect and think that it could not have got much worse, what with floods at the end of last year, the foot and mouth crisis and then events on September 11.

"But typical Yorkshire people make the most of things and people have pulled together round here."

Mr Pern thanked regulars who had supported the pub through the foot and mouth crisis, going out locally instead of travelling further afield and risking spreading the disease.

Updated: 17:31 Tuesday, December 04, 2001