Picture gallery: Easter holidays

It's a crucial weekend for the countryside.

The tourism industry is relying on a busy Easter to boost businesses hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

As millions set off on their travels, rural areas held their breath - would numbers swell on the biggest holiday weekend of the year so far, or would people head abroad instead.

BBC News Online shows the Good Friday picture across the UK.

Traffic was busy on the country's motorways as thousands of people went on their travels.

But many beaches, such as this one in Bournemouth, were empty as thousands went abroad for the sun.

In cities, however, the tourist trade was busy - hundreds of people queue outside the Tower of London.

Others were not so fortunate - this punt chauffeur in Cambridge reads the paper as he waits for trade.

Many attractions, such as West Midlands Safari Park, have re-opened but are still imposing restrictions.

There are some visitors to the countryside but rural businesses say they will suffer massive losses.

Britney is not visiting the countryside, but has been suggested as a better way than MPs to draw visitors.