The freephone number set up by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to gather information on the economic impact of the current foot and mouth outbreak is continuing to receive more than 35 calls a day from businesses throughout the area.

Statistics collected by HIE to send on to the Scottish Executive show that 366 callers from the Highlands and Islands used the service in its first ten days.

Four out of every five calls received so far have come from tourism businesses, with accommodation providers in particular reporting cancelled bookings and a sharp downturn in enquiry levels.

Retailers and restaurateurs make up a further 14 per cent of callers and the remainder come from a variety of affected sectors, including farmers, foresters, livestock dealers and transport firms.

A spokesman for HIE urged all affected businesses from the area to call the freephone line so that the enterprise agency can ensure its information is as accurate and complete as possible.

"It's very important that the calls keep coming in so that we can properly understand and quantify the impact foot and mouth is having on local businesses," said the spokesman.

"We are very grateful to the people who have already phoned in and would urge all affected business people to keep using the freephone service to help us build up a detailed and accurate picture. All calls are confidential and each should last no more than ten minutes."

Following its introduction by HIE, the freephone service has this week been adopted by Scottish Enterprise.

Callers can now access the number from anywhere in Scotland by dialling 0800 027 5550.