A RURAL advice and information service will begin next week in the Okehampton area for people still suffering from the consequences of the foot and mouth crisis.

Almost £13,000 was awarded to the Okehampton and District Council for Voluntary Service to provide a drop-in centre at Hatherleigh Market on Tuesdays, a volunteer-run helpline and an e-mail facility.

The money has come from leading mental health charity MIND and will pay for a six-month project building on the success of the Hatherleigh Help Centre which was set up to respond to the foot and mouth crisis.

Project co-ordinator Karen Nolan said there were various elements to this community service which was open to anyone who was still experiencing problems or needed advice or information.

'We will be a signposting service to people who come in needing, for example, business advice,' she said.

'Farmers may have lost their stock in the foot and mouth crisis and are looking to diversify — in which case we may direct them to the Business Information Point at Sticklepath.

'We also realise that people from farmers to village shops, B and Bs and schoolchildren may still be finding it hard to cope with what has happened to them and we will provide a listening ear and help or refer them onto professionals if we feel that is needed,' she said.

This advice and information service set up by Rural MINDS is already operating in counties such as Cumbria and Staffordshire.

It was recognised back last summer that the real effects of foot and mouth would not be felt until long after the disease had subsided but funding was not available to continue the Hatherleigh Help Centre beyond a few months.

Mrs Nolan said for many people normal life had not resumed and they just needed that extra helping hand.

The important thing was to not be afraid to come and talk no matter how trivial they thought their problems were.

'Sometimes a listening ear can be all that is needed,' she said.

'The service is very relaxed and there will be plenty of coffee available.'

The drop-in centre will be open every Tuesday from 9.30am until 2.30pm. A helpline operates from 9.30am to 6pm every day on 01837 53392 or you can communicate via e-mail on: [email protected]">[email protected].

Volunteers who are good listeners are being sought to help with the service.

Full training will be given. Telephone the above number if you are interested.