Bird flu scare has tourists flocking in

Published on Friday 6 April 2007 11:38

BIRD flu has helped Cellardyke experience a mini-tourism boom.

It is a year today since Britain's first case of deadly bird flu was confirmed in a dead swan which had washed-up in the harbour slipway.

The normally sedate fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife was thrust under the world's spotlight with journalists, photographers and film crews - as well as scientists - flocking to the area.

Cellardyke community councillor Martin Dibley said: "People still come along to see where the swan was found and anytime bird flu is on the news we get a mention. But to be honest it has all been quite positive.

"I think it showed the village and the area in a positive light.

"Everyone was saying how nice the area was and how friendly the people are and it has in a bizarre way increased tourism a little bit.

Mr Dibley said that property in the area has been snapped up in the last year.

He added: "It is more to do with people seeing it on the news and thinking 'what a nice little place that is'."