AN aid package to help West Devon businesses recover from the foot and mouth outbreak has given almost £20,000 back to hard-hit businesses.

West Devon Borough Council offered financial help to businesses in the borough in the form of rate relief from the Authority.

Foot and mouth was confirmed at more than 70 farms in West Devon, making it one of the worst hit areas in the country.

At the height of the crisis in April, the council put together a special aid package for businesses who suffered due to the outbreak, a scheme which will be in place for a full 12 months.

Every business in the Borough — more than 1,700 — has been sent a rates relief claim form and so far, 93 firms have been helped. These include pubs, hotels, camp sites, agricultural businesses, shops, garages and visitor attractions.

One of the businesses that successfully applied for West Devon's Business Rate Relief was Dingles Steam Village at Lifton.

Richard Sandercock, proprietor of the visitor attraction, said: 'The relief gives us the heart to carry on in future years.'

Mr Sandercock said the council's assistance had helped many businesses, and the cost incurred by the council would be repaid both with money and the goodwill that had been engendered.

The scheme is still in operation for other businesses to apply if they are able to demonstrate that the foot and mouth crisis had adversely affected their business.

More information on the rate relief scheme is available by contacting 01822 813751.