DEVON should act together to seize the opportunity for change in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis, according to delegates at last week's Recovery Plan launch.

A multi-million pound bid for vital Government funding was launched at the Next Steps conference to help Devon recover from the devastating effects of the crisis.

The event at Exeter's County Hall was attended by around 150 delegates including representatives from farming, tourism, local councils and a wide variety of Devon associations.

Miles Butler, the county's head of economic development, told them market towns like Hatherleigh and Okehampton were 'on their knees', but by working together the county could press for funds for a 'carefully thought out and costed recovery programme'.

Mr Butler said there had been a 'huge' response from consultees of the ten-point Recovery Plan showing 'overwhelming support' for it.

The Devon County Show in August would be a platform for the recovery process, he said.

The council is bidding for £180 million of funding from central government and Europe.

The figure is set against independent research which revealed £470 million could be lost from Devon's economy this year, plus job losses of around 13,000 jobs — 11,000 in tourism.

Tim Render, environment, farming and rural development director for Government Office South West said his department was determined to get 'all the benefits we can' for Devon.

'We want to make it work and we want to ensure there is effective recovery,' he said.

Mr Render said GOSW would take a facilitator role and 'bang heads together' if things went wrong.

'We want to ensure that Devon's voice is heard in London. We will continue to push your case and work with you to do it.'

John Burnett, MP for West Devon and Torridge, said later that funding from central government was 'absolutely vital' for recovery.

'I am very keen for the county plan to be co-ordinated with the submission that we are putting forward through the RDA,' he said.

Mr Burnett was also concerned that Devon should get its 'fair share' of funding in comparison with other areas of the country.

'Tourism is vitally important for us and the government should recognise that we really do need to encourage domestic tourism, which accounts for 90 per cent of our business.'

All-party support for the Recovery Plan was pledged at the conference by leaders of the county's political groups — a Devon campaign delegation is expected to meet rural affairs minister Alun Michael at a task force meeting in the next two or three weeks.

The county council is also planning a briefing of Devon MPs at Westminster on the Recovery Plan.