MORE THAN 250 individuals, voluntary groups and small businesses hard-hit by the summer's foot and mouth crisis will be having a slightly happier Christmas, thanks to the generosity of donors who have given more than £1 million towards the Dales Recovery Appeal.

For the fund expects to have distributed more than £500,000 in grants by the New Year - and still has another £650,000 in hand to help FMD victims to recover in 2002.

"When we launched the fund in June, we thought that we were being optimistic in aiming for a £1 million target," says Acting Chairman Dr Brian Fisher. "But by this week, we had reached £1,150,000, which is a truly astonishing Christmas present.

"Our assessors are working flat out to distribute grants at the rate of some 30 per week and have now released £450,000 - a figure which should pass the half million mark early in the New Year.

"But we still feel there are people in the area of the Craven Archdeaconry who need help but who have not applied. We urge them to do so. Although nothing we can do can wipe away the suffering of FMD, we can at least help people to have a slightly happier Christmas."

So far, grants have been paid out to 21 voluntary groups, 91 small businesses like shops and B&Bs, and 140 farmers whose animals were not culled but who suffered severe financial loss because they could not take stock to market.

Prince Charles, on a visit to the Dales this week, congratulated fund organisers on their success.

The appeal is seeking further 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 or phone 01943 831660.