A FIRM of rural specialists is offering free advice to the region's beleaguered farmers.

Staff at George F White have received an increasing number of calls from farmers with severe cash-flow problems caused by the foot-and-mouth restrictions on the all-important autumn sales.

Tom Oates, partner at the firm's Alnwick office, in Northumberland, said: "They are experiencing terrible financial hardship in terms of cash flow.

"Obviously some things have freed up, but problems are still there - because markets can't run there is no free trade."

One caller had 660 gimmer lambs worth nearly £50,000 tied up on his farm and did not know when, or whether, he would get that money. Although farm-to-farm movements are allowed under licence, Mr Oates said there were still problems.

He said: "A number of people have managed to sell tups on the proviso they can be moved - but that means that anything on the farm they move to, including lambs, cannot be moved for 20 days."

Many farmers were wondering what they should do and some were under pressure from banks.

Mr Oates said: "It is our aim to try to help alleviate some of these pressures if we can."

The Farm Crisis Network (FCN) charity and the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) have called for restraint from banks and landlords.

Helen Bagwell, FCN deputy national co-ordinator, said the organisation was particularly concerned with reports from its upland co-ordinators.

She said: "Every day that passes makes the situation more desperate.

"Some tenants that we are talking to are fearful about going to speak to their bank managers in case existing overdrafts and borrowing are called in.

"We are also getting reports that some landlords are taking a hard line on rental payments, expecting them to be met on time despite the current circumstances."

Reg Haydon, TFA national chairman, said prices for finished lambs were spiralling to unsustainable levels.

The TFA has asked supermarket buyers not to take advantage of the crisis.

He warned: "If things carry on as they are we will be looking to the Government to introduce a Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme, to ease the animal and human welfare pressures."

David Fursdon, president of the Country Land and Business Association, has urged landlords to be understanding.

The partners and advisors giving free consultations are Mr Oates, on 01665-603231; Andrew Entwhistle, in Wolsingham, County Durham, on 01388-527966; and Kevin Guy, in Bedale, North Yorkshire, on 01677-425301.