Most businesses in the region have escaped any negative knock-on effects from the ongoing Foot and Mouth crisis.

The surprising statistics are the result of a study commissioned by national recruitment and human resources consultancy, Eden Brown, which recently opened its Leeds office.

The results show that eight out of ten companies in the region have not suffered from the epidemic, with four out of ten actually expecting to increase their workforce in the next six months.

But not all sectors have been immune, as Policy Executive with Bradford Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Mike Cartwright, explained.

He said: "It would appear that most businesses have escaped the worst consequences of the Foot and Mouth outbreak, and we haven't heard any examples of any firms suffering particular hardship.

"But the textiles sector has been affected. Its costs have been pushed up because they've had to get extra export certificates saying their wool or hides are safe, and have been cleared for export."

Textile firms were worst hit at the beginning of the outbreak, he added, and were now starting to recover.

Eden Brown's telephone survey was conducted among 100 businesses in West Yorkshire during the first week of April, and covered a cross section of industries.

Managing Director, Ian Wolter, said: "Such positive views confirm our assessment that this is a buoyant area for business and that's why we chose Leeds for our first new office opening this year."