BUSINESSES hit by foot-and-mouth are being urged to apply for financial assistance to help them survive the crisis.

The call comes from South Lakeland District Council's economic development officer Audrey Taylor, who says firms should submit applications as soon as possible.

She warned that the grant aid available was cash limited and applicants would be treated on a first come, first served basis.

Her advice comes after a council-commissioned survey showed outbreak had left businesses in South Lakeland fearing for their future.

Many employers have been forced to either shed staff,

cut working hours and

freeze recruitment in an effort to stay afloat.

The survey of nearly 300 businesses revealed the impact of foot-and-mouth was much wider across the economy, with manufacturing, construction and business services also hit.

Firms have suffered average losses of £14,577, with the agriculture and tourism sectors bearing the brunt.

Mrs Taylor said while businesses could not claim any direct compensation for loss of turnover, they could apply for grants to help with marketing, Information Technology equipment and loan interest payments from the foot-and-mouth recovery fund.

Grants of up to £6,000 for marketing, £2,000 for IT and £7,500 for interest relief are available for businesses employing up to 50 staff.

Agricultural and fishery businesses, along with transport and food processing firms, are excluded.

Business Link Cumbria, which administers the grants scheme, has distributed more than 3,000 grant forms and processed 160 applications to date.

Applications are assessed daily by a panel, and so far most have been approved.

A total of 1,706 businesses have received survival advice from Business Link officials.

Any local firm wanting more details and an application form should ring 0870-757-1177.

For assistance, ring Business Link (South Lakeland) on 01539-726624; Furness on 01229-820611, or Eden on 01768-891555.

l The North West Development Agency has warned that as many as 19,000 jobs in Cumbria could be at risk due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Around one in every four jobs across the county is said to be dependent on either tourism or agriculture, according to NWDA figures.