A YOUNG schoolgirl who wrote to Prince Charles last year when foot and mouth disease hit the area, has met the recipient of her letter at a reception at St James' Palace.

The get-together was organised by the Prince who wanted to bring a little cheer into the lives of some of the people affected by the crisis.

Danielle Holmes, 10, of Cononley, wrote to the Prince after he donated £500,000 of his own money to aid six rural charities.

"She decided to thank him herself," explained Danielle's mum, Adrienne. "She told him she was worried the disease would reach our smallholding and that she would lose her minority breed flock of 20 Dorset Horns."

The Prince obviously remembered the letter because he singled out Danielle, a pupil at Glusburn County Primary School, to ask her about her sheep.

"He told her had been very worried himself about the disease and said he could not imagine High Grove being without stock," added Mrs Holmes.

She was just one of around 250 people invited from all over the country, and one of 20 or so from the Craven area.

Also present were Settle couple Ian and Barbara Johnson, who own Dugdale's agricultural and milking machine engineers.

They lost around 50 per cent of their customers during the outbreak and were forced to diversify part of their business into gardening supplies and equipment.

"It was a very relaxed and informal atmosphere where people could mingle and mix with others from around the country.

"Prince Charles made a point of speaking to everyone and told us Settle was one of his favourite parts of the country. He seemed very knowledgeable about the the issues affecting the countryside and was genuinely concerned for its future."

Other guests included farmers from Buckden, Rylstone and Gargrave, as well as vets, community volunteers and people in business.