A PHONE line set up to help rural communities cope with the trauma of foot-and-mouth disease is to continue.

Set up in March, shortly after the outbreak was confirmed, the County Durham and Darlington Rural Support Line was to be phased out.

But, with the resurgence of the disease in Northumberland, health bosses have decided to reprieve the service.

At its height, the helpline was taking up to 250 calls a week, but, by July, that figure was down to about 17.

Ceri Mather, a public health strategist with County Durham and Darlington Health Authority, said: "What was obvious from the end of July was that the number of calls was tailing off, but now that there is the threat of more cases, we have decided to keep the phone line open.

"Our main concern is to give people an outlet. There is a real danger that this crisis could damage people's health, and we want to prevent that if we can."

The renewed threat posed by foot-and-mouth meant that it made sense for the service to be retained, said Ms mather.

Health bosses plan to relaunch the line with a particular emphasis on Derwentside.

The free number is 0800 0857034.