A GOVERNMENT minister was in North Yorkshire yesterday announcing some good news for the farming industry, shaken by another foot-and-mouth scare near Thirsk last week.

Animal health minister, Elliot Morley, visited Thirsk and Hawes yesterday to announce a £1.3m cash boost to help with recovery in the wake of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The largest grant of £259,000 will be invested in a new abattoir in Wensleydale - a project spearheaded by MacIntyre Farm Services of Bainbridge.

When up and running, the plant will be at the centre of a new partnership between local farms, which will produce high-quality, locally-produced and traceable meat for local butchers, farmers' markets and farm shops as well as major retailers around the country.

Another £154,000 will be invested in Thirsk-based Shepherd's Purse Cheese, which is planning a significant expansion, which is expected to create 25 new jobs.

A new cheese room, store and packing room will be added to the current plant, also supplied by local dairy farmers.

"The grants will help two innovative local companies to expand and to make a greater contribution to the wider rural community," said Mr Morley.

"Although handling very different products, both play and important role in the supply chain, ensuring farmers can add value to their product."

Mr Morley conceded the last 12 months have been 'disastrous' for the farming industry, although he emphasised he had been inspired by projects set up in an effort to overcome the crisis.

Among them is Rejuvenate, formed by a group of farmers who lost their livestock to foot-and-mouth disease who have been working with the Rural Development Programme on a fresh start.

Mr Morley said: "All too often, farmers are accused of not working together. Rejuvenate and the work it has undertaken in co-operation with Defra to help farmers develop their own plans is a positive contribution to the future of farming in this region."

A farm near Thirsk feared the worst last Tuesday when lesions were found in the mouths of sheep - bought to replace animals culled last summer, but owner Robin Garbutt was given the all-clear over the weekend.