THE DALES Recovery Appeal, set up two months ago to help victims of the foot and mouth crisis, is ready to start paying out grants from the £500,000-plus it has already raised towards its £1 million target.

An assessment panel has been set up to consider applications for cash grants in the area of the Craven Archdeaconry, which spreads from Sedbergh in the north to Denholme, south of Keighley, and west into the Trough of Bowland. People who do not know if they qualify geographically should telephone the appeal office (see details later).

Says appeal chairman John Sheard: "These grants will be available to small business, voluntary organisations and individuals in Craven and the Ribble Valley who have been badly affected by the foot and mouth epidemic but who have fallen outside the net for compensation from official sources.

"That could include small farmers whose stock has not been culled but who have suffered because they have been unable to move their animals to market.

"There are also many people who work in the agricultural support field - dry-stone wallers and sheep shearers for example - whose livelihoods have been devastated, along with scores of small businesses like B&Bs, pubs, restaurants, and shops.

"In the voluntary sector, dozens of community groups have lost much - if not all - of their income by having to cancel fund-raising events like village shows and craft fairs.

"We know from experience that Dales folk are by nature reluctant to ask for outside help - it is a matter of pride, self-reliance. But, in this case, we ask people to overcome that reluctance for we are talking about the future: if we lose these small businesses and voluntary groups, Craven will be socially and economically a much poorer place."

Applications for grants should be addressed to: The Appeal Office, 76 Main Street, Addingham, Ilkley LS29 0PD or phone 01943 831660.