THE DALES Recovery fund, launched just seven weeks ago to raise £1 million to help small businesses, voluntary organisations and individuals hit by the foot and mouth crisis, is already approaching the quarter-million-pound mark.

Yesterday, the figure donated reached £230,000, "a most impressive figure in such a short time," says fund chairman John Sheard.

That figure includes a single £100,000 gift from an anonymous donor but Mr Sheard added: "Most of the cash has come from small donations from individuals. We are very moved by the response but we still have a long way to go.

"Even the full £1 million will not go far when the full effects of this tragedy are finally calculated. However, we will soon be in a position to start assessing applications for grants from people and organisations who fall outside the net for help from Government or other sources."

Grants from the fund will be specifically targeted towards small businesses which have lost trade, voluntary groups which have been forced to cancel fund-raising events, and individuals like small farmers whose stock has not been culled but have been unable to take them to auction because of movement restrictions.

The appeal welcomes any donations, large or small, to Peter Marshall, Hon. Sec, the Dales Recovery Appeal, 76 Main Street, Addingham, Ilkley, West Yorks LS29 0PD (phone 01943-831660/fax 01943-831570). Please make out cheques to The Craven Trust DALES Recovery Appeal. For more information, see www.craventrust.org.uk.