A WEST Devon pre-school group threatened with closure during the foot and mouth crisis has been saved, thanks to a lifeline grant.

Little Lambs Pre-School, based at Lamerton village hall, has been granted money from a £25,000 foot and mouth fund set up by the Devon Community Foundation. The fund aims to help community groups, farming families and businesses affected by the crisis.

Carolyn Hill, Little Lambs secretary, said: 'With our play leader confined to her farm and the village hall from which we operate out of bounds, we struggled to operate and to generate any income during the height of the foot and mouth crisis.

'Thanks to the grant, we've been able to cover that shortfall, allowing us to retain our play-leader and to continue operating.'

The pre-school group caters for up to nine children between the ages of one and five, two days a week, providing an essential service to children from the surrounding farming community and outlying areas.

Ten grants totalling £2,750 have been made by the Community Foundation's Foot and Mouth Fund in West and North Devon. Others have helped a computer technician specialising in farming software, self-employed farming contractors and a taxidermist.

Eric Dancer, president of the Foundation and Lord Lieutenant of Devon, said: 'Something as simple as a rent or equipment hire payment may be the final straw which forces a business under.

'The Foundation's Foot and Mouth Fund aims to give that small lifeline which might make the difference between survival or going under.'

Anyone interested in applying for a grant from the fund should contact Devon Community Foundation on 01392 252252.