District councillor Rosemary Packer will help the tourist industry get back on its feet after the devastation caused by foot and mouth. She has been appointed to the Tourism Executive of the Local Government Association.

Rosemary Packer The executive suggests best practices for local government and encourages tourism policies. Its role will be enhanced this year as it deals with the aftermath and impact of the foot and mouth crisis.

Cllr Packer is a long-standing member of the Conservative group on the Vale of White Horse district council and one of the prime movers behind Court Hill Trust Youth Hostel near Wantage.

She is a volunteer at the Faringdon Tourist Information Centre and a key instigator of the town's Farmers' Market.

Cllr Packer, from Stanford in the Vale, said: "The issues we will need to address are particularly important when the tourism industry is suffering so badly from the impact of foot and mouth."