Craven's run of ten days without a new outbreak of foot and mouth was broken yesterday when a new case was confirmed at Gowthorpe Hall, Rathmell, near Settle. Some 400 cattle, sheep and lambs were to be culled.

And the disease is still causing concern in the Thirsk area of North Yorkshire - with another new case - and two more in the Eden Valley of Cumbria. These come despite the fact that, last week, Government vets said they were now fighting "the rump" of the crisis.

In another development, Yorkshire Forward, the regional regeneration agency, made it clear - as we predicted last week - that more funds will be made available for help non-farming rural businesses hit by foot and mouth.

The agency is asking for suggestions from business organisations and voluntary bodies on how a further - and final - £500,000 should be allocated on top of £2 million already distributed.

Proposals should be directed to Andy Tordoff at Yorkshire Forward's Rural Renaissance Team, Victoria House, 2 Victoria Place, Leeds, LS11 5AE; e-mail andy.tordoff@yorkshire-forward.com to be received no later than July 31. Applicants will be notified of the decision by August 10th.