One hundred luxury holidays were today being sold for just £10 each as part of a "summer sale" promotion to boost the Scottish tourism industry in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The Great Scotland Sale, at the offices of the Scottish tourist board, off Trafalgar Square in London, offered bargains of a lifetime including luxury breaks in five-star hotels. The trips usually retail for around £1,000, a hundred times the sale price.

Visitscotland, the Scottish tourist board, was hoping the give-away would allow the industry a major boost after the devastation of recent months. It is estimated the industry north of the border will lose around £350 million over the 12 months, dating back from when the foot and mouth outbreak started in February.

The special Scottish holiday sale was taking place at visitscotland's office at 19 Cockspur Street at 10am.

Visitscotland chairman Peter Lederer said: "By offering breaks at these prices it will encourage those who have only thought of holidaying in Scotland to actually get out and book a trip to Scotland.

"It will also encourage those who take up the offers to come back in the future once they have sampled how relaxing a break in this country can be.

Tourism is one of Scotland's largest industries, injecting £2.5bn annually into the Scottish economy.

Visitscotland estimates that for every £1 it spends on promotion, £6 is generated in return on behalf of Scotland's tourism industry.