THE rural recovery is gathering pace with a little help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

The agency has helped more than 320 rural businesses to get grants in excess of £4.1m to help them recover from the foot-and-mouth crisis.

All were assessed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire advisors, who helped them to draw up business plans to qualify for aid from the Government's Foot-and-Mouth Recovery Fund.

Among those receiving help was the Mill Race Tea Shop, at Aysgarth Falls, Wensleydale.

The teashop was threatened with closure, but has launched a website selling hand-made chocolates, with help from Business Link York and North Yorkshire rural recovery advisor Brian Woodhouse.

He helped the business diversify into chocolate-making, opening The Little Chocolate Shop in the basement.

Clare Gardiner, who took over the teashop in July, 2000, train-ed in chocolate crafting at the Callebaut Institute in Aalst, Belgium - part of Barry Callebaut, the world's largest manufacturer of Belgian chocolate.

She said: "I identified that there was a niche in the market for handcrafted chocolates, but sales have rocketed way ahead of expectation.

"Initially, we plan to distribute them within the UK, but if things take off we will also export them.

"I owe a lot to Business Link York and North Yorkshire for helping us to gain the Rural Recovery Grant, which has enabled us to accelerate our development by about 18 months."

Business Link York and North Yorkshire chief executive Helen West said: "For some businesses it was the first time they had drawn up a business plan or considered a change of direction and we are on hand to assist them as they play their part in rebuilding North Yorkshire's rural economy."

www.thelittlechocolateshop.co.uk

Advisors are still working with many of the enterprises, which range from village tea shops to riding centres, to assist them implement the plans.

"Having helped these businesses to secure this vital funding, our advisors have been providing crucial, ongoing help and advice.

A substantial number of the businesses to be helped by Business Link York and North Yorkshire have have used the grants to diversify while others have invested in marketing, staff training, computer equipment and refurbishment.