A LANDLORD who has lost £43,000 of business because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, has asked the Government to accommodate some of its visiting vets in his village pub.

Frank Phillips, owner of the White Swan in Danby Wiske, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, contacted the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) after he read of heavy bookings for hotels in Northallerton and Thirsk for about 80 British and overseas vets.

He feels Defra should distribute vets across the district to help small pubs and hotels.

"We have not been approached by any organisation about accommodation," he said. "I got a bit frustrated when I read about Defra's block bookings in the bigger hotels and thought about what it must be costing."

Mr Phillips has contacted Defra's emergency centre in Leeds and left his details.

A Defra spokesman said: "The department is very aware of the impact the crisis has had on the wider local economy and it has made strenuous efforts working through tourist board and other listings to find appropriate accommodation for its staff in independent rural hotels and smaller B and Bs.

"We are pleased that Mr Phillips has brought his business to our attention and we will certainly continue to try to take advantage of local inns like the White Swan whenever appropriate."