A £1 MILLION appeal is to be launched today to help farms and other rural businesses in the Yorkshire Dales recover from the foot and mouth crisis. And for the fourth day this week, there were no new outbreaks reported in the Settle-Skipton area overnight.

The Craven Trust, which supports community projects in the district, is launching its biggest ever appeal by writing to companies, wealthy individuals, voluntary bodies and the like to make generous contributions to the appeal.

Anyone wishing to donate should contact the appeals office on 01943-831660.

• Meanwhile, a nationwide appeal is being launched to ensure the future of rare breeds of farm animals which are under threat after the recent huge culls throughout the UK.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust wants to stock the National ReGENEration Bank with sufficient genetic material to ensure that when the next farming crisis hits, we shall not lose any of the 63 unique breeds that the charity looks after.

For more information, email: sdeeson@worldscope.co.uk

• Although the Dales remained free over new outbreaks overnight, there were three more in Cumbria.