A FAMILY business badly hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak has fought back to regain lost trade with the help of One NorthEast grants.

Sayers of Yarm had built up a loyal customer base in the 23 years since it opened in the town's High Street, specialising in equestrian and outdoor pursuit clothing as well as ski equipment.

Then last year's epidemic dealt them a devastating blow, cutting trade by 46pc and leaving managing director David Sayer contemplating whether his firm, employing eight full- and part-time staff, could survive.

He responded to an advert detailing One NorthEast emergency grant aid to companies hit by the outbreak, and that has helped to pull his business round.

"The outbreak was devastating; we lost all the walkers who call in here because the footpaths were closed and we lost the trade we had looking after the schools for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards as well," said Mr Sayer.

"All the shows were cancelled, all the horse shows were cancelled and all hunting in the area was banned.

"We had to make cutbacks and laid off three members of staff, which was awful for us."

Business had been going so well that the firm was in the process of building an extension to its two-storey store, which had to be put on hold.

Mr Sayer said: "It was really worrying because, as time went on, there seemed to be no end to it - the outbreak was flaring up all over the area.

"It was then that we saw an advert from One NorthEast about a lifeline they were throwing to retailers."

The company put together a development plan, with the help of Business Link, and received £6,000 to train two new full-time staff and fund advertising and marketing to let customers know they were still very much open for business.

They are also in the process of applying for an interest relief grant to help complete the extension to the store.

"This money has been a major contribution towards helping out the business and putting it back on track," said Mr Sayer. "Things are definitely improving, but we have a long way to go, particularly with the outdoor pursuit trade."

Mark Henderson, One NorthEast director of operations, said: "One NorthEast was delighted to assist Mr Sayer with his grant applications.

"We are fully aware of the negative impact that foot-and-mouth disease has had upon many businesses and, under the Business Recovery Fund, the agency has developed a number of schemes to help businesses diversify into new markets and improve their competitiveness.

"In total, the agency has processed almost 1,000 grant applications. Sayers of Yarm is a great example of how these grants have been able to assist businesses, as they have seen a 12pc increase in customers."

The interest relief grant, which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund, still has funds available to help companies affected by foot and mouth.

The grant will pay the interest for a 12-month period on any commercial loan taken out by a business for the purposes of restructuring. Further details available from Business Links - Northumberland, tel 01670 813322; Tyne and Wear, 0191 5166767; County Durham, 0191 3744000 and Tees Valley, 01642 806666