TOURIST bosses in the New Forest are confident that last year's double disaster has finally been pushed into the background as visitors come flooding back into the area.

Tourist attractions, hotels, bed and breakfast businesses, pubs, restaurants and many shops were rocked first by the foot-and-mouth crisis and then by the tragedies of September 11.

But as the countdown to Easter began, members of New Forest Tourism Association were in buoyant mood over improved bookings and big attendances at Beaulieu, Paultons Park and other attractions.

As she recalled last year's springtime closure of the New Forest, NFTA chairman Christine Ames said: "The weather forecast is looking good and that in itself will bring in those people who didn't have the chance of visiting us last year."

She praised businesses for the way they coped last year and added: "In true British spirit and with grit and determination we have come through this minefield and my belief is that we are stronger and wiser for the experience."

One of the brightest aspects of the revival has been the return of large groups of young foreign students and schoolchildren.

At Beaulieu, marketing manager Steve Munn said: "On one day last week, we had eight different groups of French students."

Still Britain's top motor museum with around 350,000 visitors turning up despite last year's tourism slump, Beaulieu is expecting good turn-outs in the next few weeks following the opening of its motor racing gallery by Murray Walker.

Paultons, with its mixture of rides for all ages, animals, birds, prehistoric park and collection of historic artefacts, topped the 500,000-visitor mark for the first time in its history.

With £900,000 worth of investment pumped back in, the management is hoping to maintain the momentum.

"The families have been flocking in and these two new rides are already proving very popular," said press officer Anne Ruffell.

Longdown Activity Farm has also picked up after last year's farming crisis and spokeswoman Annette Todhunter said: "We are thrilled at the way the season has started and are now very optimistic about the year ahead."