Small farmers, dry stone wallers, shopkeepers, community groups and other people affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak are invited to apply for grants from a special Dales recovery fund.

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

The money has been donated by generous individuals - ranging from pensioners giving £5 to an anonymous £100,000 donation - as well as businesses and trusts.

The appeal has now asked for match-funding from the Countryside Agency, which has agreed to pay £1 for every £1 contributed by private individuals or charities until September 30.

A panel has been set up to consider grant applications from people in the Craven Archdeaconry, which spreads from Sedbergh in the north to Denholme, south of Keighley, and west into the Trough of Bowland.

The area includes Bentham and Ingleton.

Appeal chairman John Sheard said the grants would be available to people badly affected by the foot-and-mouth epidemic, but who fell 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," he said.

"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."

The grant scheme was set up by the Craven Trust, a charitable body set up to support communities in need.

Applications to the Dales Recovery Fund should be addressed to: The Appeal Office, 76 Main Street, Addingham, Ilkley, LS29 0PD, or telephone 01943-831660.

People who are not sure if they qualify geographically are invited to call the office on the same number.