LANDOWNERS in the FMD-ravaged North West are daring to hope that the disease might finally be under control - and are asking all country folk to help bring their local economies back to normal.

There has not been a confirmed new outbreak this month and the NW branch of the Country Land and Business Association (the CLA) says that, although these are dangerous times, members are "daring to hope that they can see an end to the spread of the disease."

And the way forward, they urge, is for rural residents to "eat local, drink local and think local" when they are shopping or dining out.

To encourage this, they have decided to nominate Saturday, November 3, as a special local focus day when people spending money on shopping or leisure to do everything they can to ensure that the money goes into local pockets.

Regional Director Douglas Chalmers says: "It has been over two weeks since the last confirmed case of FMD, but this is a dangerous time. If we relax too soon the disease will erupt again, and at this time of year there might be no further chance of respite until next summer.

"If we can make a break now, at least farming and other rural businesses can start to rebuild their trade without the fear that it will be destroyed again. We must not drop our guard, and everyone must maintain the highest possible degree of biosecurity they can practically achieve.

"I believe the time is right for rural communities to lead the recovery. Already people are committing themselves to sourcing and buying local products and services wherever possible but there needs to be a commitment from even more people if we are to make a real difference.

""Use your shops, pubs and church - our villages shouldn't be the kind of place where people only want the church for marriages, christenings and funerals. Money spent locally benefits the whole community, but so does time.

"The local community is the heart of rural life, but each and every member needs to play an active role."