A DESPERATE plea for help has been made by North Yorkshire businesses crippled by the foot and mouth crisis.

County council leaders have urged the Government to extend its aid package to North Yorkshire.

About £15 million has been earmarked for short-term help for rural businesses hit by the outbreak in the most affected areas, which include Durham, Devon, Cumbria and the Welsh Borders.

But North Yorkshire will not get a share of the package, despite having 17 confirmed cases and a large section of the county being declared an infected area.

Councillor Tim Cole, deputy leader of the council, said: "The effect on rural businesses has been considerable, yet the Government has not seen fit to provide any of that assistance to North Yorkshire."

The council has written to the Government, voicing concern that North Yorkshire has been left out and highlighting severe economic difficulties suffered in the region.

Coun Cole said: "While I welcome the Government providing funding for rural businesses, I cannot understand the reason why the largest rural county in England should be excluded from that support.

"The effect on businesses throughout North Yorkshire is as serious as anywhere else in the country, and the Government must react now to ensure that the economy in these areas is not devastated by lack of support.

"Many of these businesses have supported the Government and local authorities in trying to combat the disease and they now deserve to be helped in every way possible."

The county council has worked to set up a rural task force aimed at bringing together businesses and organisations affected in an effort to deal with problems caused by foot and mouth.

Coun Cole said: "As a council we will continue to press for all the support that is needed to sustain the economy of the county."

Updated: 16:35 Friday, April 20, 2001