NORTH Yorkshire councillors have called for the appointment of a special government co-ordinator to lead and strengthen the campaign to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease in the county.

The county council executive was told on Wednesday that heads needed knocking together in North Yorkshire, the third hardest hit county in Britain with a total of 133 cases, 15 of which are in the latest hot spot around Thirsk.

Executive members acknowledged that much good work had been done by council staff, especially from the trading standards department, in disease control work, managing public rights of way and planning for economic recovery.

They agreed, however, that there were so many different strands to the unpredictable situation that a centrally appointed co-ordinator was needed to help improve communications between county and district councils, Defra and Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency.

Members were told that the county council should seek an early meeting with Lord Haskins, the recently appointed rural recovery co-ordinator for Cumbria who has upset farmers with his controversial views, and Mr Graham Hall, chairman of Yorkshire Forward. It is expected that council members and officers will soon meet Mr Alun Michael, minister for rural affairs.

In calling for a North Yorkshire co-ordinator, Coun Murray Naylor made a pointed reference to Lord Haskins: "We don't want a Labour peer with an interest in farming and some outspoken ideas, but a senior government figure who can knock some heads together.''

l County short changed over financial help, page. 12; leading article, page 16