FOOT-AND-MOUTH may have delayed a bid to restore a piece of heritage in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales - but the project's backers are still determined to press ahead as soon as the crisis eases.

A public meeting last summer saw the residents of Gayle, in Wensleydale, back the rejuvenation of the village's old water mill.

The North-East Civic Trust was given a mandate to press for grants to help cover the estimated £500,000 costs, with an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund one possibility.

A working group of 12 people was formed to lay the foundations of a bid, and met regularly last year to thrash out future uses for the historic building.

Progress has been made on the latter, with most supporting the suggestion of a sawmill and forestry training centre.

But restrictions on movements during the foot and mouth crisis led to the cancellation of meetings pencilled in for February, March and April - and some of the momentum was lost.

But trust director Graham Bell confirmed yesterday that a meeting with Upper Wensleydale Business Community is now planned later this month, with another public forum planned in June.

"We are hoping for a renewed commitment to a business partnership," he said. "It doesn't have to be money; even letters of support could be enough to help in the hunt for grants."

The need for a sawmill has been underlined by research which indicated Upper Wensleydale only has one joiner.

Without a change, customers would have to travel as far as Leyburn for carpentry or forestry services should the business close.

"We had to be sure, first of all, that the water mill was used for something the village supports - but one thing foot-and-mouth has illustrated is the importance of a diverse trading environment. It is important communities don't leave all their eggs in one basket," said Mr Bell.

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund could cover a large slice of the total required, although Gayle may also have to look to other sources for cash.

"There's been some progress there, too, with Europe looking promising at the moment," added Mr Bell