DALES farmers who have been unable to move their stock because of FMD restrictions are facing a double crisis as one of the farming year's biggest bills arrives.

They could be facing costs of between £10,000 and £30,000 to buy winter feed for their livestock - but have received no income during the summer because they have been unable to take their stock to market.

Now, the Dales Recovery Appeal, which has raised some £750,000 to help individuals, voluntary groups and small businesses hit by FMD, is urging farmers unable to meet their feed bills to ask for help.

Says Acting Chairman Dr Brian Fisher: "We have been extremely successful in raising money but our main problem now is persuading people to apply for grants.

"We suspect that many small farms which have not been culled are caught in this terrible trap but are too proud to ask for help from charity. If this is so, we are quite happy for them to look upon any money we offer as an interest free loan - they can always pay us back when things get better."

A farming member of the DRA committee, Mr John Henderson, of Coniston Cold, near Skipton, explained: "Because many farmers have been feeding stock they would normally have sold over summer, they have not been able to use their grazing to make silage or hay.

"Obviously, animals must be fed or they will die. But some farmers are facing bills of between £10,000 and £30,000, depending on the type of farm, at a time when they have received no income. It is a terrible predicament and we urge them to ask for help."

So far, the appeal fund has paid out some £60,000 in grants.

The appeal is seeking applications for grants from people in the area of the Archdeaconry of Craven, which spreads from Sedbergh in Cumbria to Denholme, south of Keighley, and west into the Trough of Bowland and the Ribble Valley.

Applications for grants - or donations of cheques made out to the Dales Recovery Fund - should be addressed to: The Appeal Office, 76 Main Street, Addingham, Ilkley LS29 0PD (phone 01943 831660) or visit the website at www.dalesrecovery.org.uk