BUSINESSES clamouring for a better aid package in the wake of foot-and-mouth disease, have been given an answer by the regional development agency.

Yorkshire Forward has pledged to pump £4m of its own reserves into a recovery programme - on top of the £2.5m already promised by the Government.

The deal follows a recent crisis meeting at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate, attended by over 200 farmers, businessmen and representatives from public organisations.

Responding to demands made for more speedy solutions, some projects will begin within weeks.

The Yorkshire Tourist Board will be asked to play a part in a £1.5m marketing campaign, selling the region around the world in the hope of recouping some of the £300m in lost revenue this year.

However, more practical help includes cash to shore up or reintroduce village shops, garages, pubs and post offices - seen as the mortar binding rural communities together.

There will also be money to encourage the spread of new technology in the countryside, to help new businesses establish themselves and to protect those already driven to the brink of collapse by foot-and-mouth disease.

National Parks and other agencies working in the countryside can also expect assistance with projects which will either protect or enhance tourist attractions or create new jobs.

"We need to keep the momentum going following the distribution of the initial central Government-allocated £2.5m business recovery fund," said the chairman of Yorkshire Forward, Graham Hall.

But he added: "We must not just turn the clock back. Our objective is to act as the catalyst to move the region's rural economy forward to have a sustainable future where it doesn't simply rely on European subsidies."

Read more about foot-and-mouth here.