CRAVEN District Council is pulling out all the stops to help businesses facing serious financial hardship because of the foot and mouth crisis.

The council will implement a rate relief scheme immediately even though it could cost it more than £100,000.

Councillors decided they could not wait for further guidance from Government as to whether it would meet the additional funding. "If we wait another three weeks businesses will bleed to death," said Councillor David Crawford.

At the moment central Government will only fund 95 per cent rate relief for businesses with a rateable value of under £12,000 and 75 per cent for those over £12,000. Craven District Council has to find the rest of the money.

Councillors decided that businesses needed help now and are inviting them to apply for rate relief.

Individuals who are also struggling financially because of the foot and mouth crisis can apply for housing and council tax benefit immediately.

The crisis has claimed more victims from Craven's show calendar this week.

Broughton Game Fair, due to take place on June 24, has been cancelled for the first time in 23 years.

Show committee chairman David Aynesworth said: "Obviously, we're devastated. We felt we had to cancel it because of the responsibility we feel towards the local farmers and the community at large.

"Last year we raised £1,800 for the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and the Cave Rescue Organisation, and this year they won't be getting that. It's bad news."

Silsden Carnival, planned for the last Sunday in July, has also been scrapped.

It is held in Jackson's riverside field, and is crossed by a footpath which has been closed due to the restrictions.

Fred Dawson, president of the show for the last 40 years, said: "These things are planned long term. If we didn't cancel it, then the costs just mount up. Our gala queen, however, will still be performing her duties at other events in the area."

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has also decided to cancel the 2001 Farm of the Year Awards because of the crisis.

Meanwhile Craven Cattle Mart started operating as a disinfecting unit this week. The mart is handling about eight vehicles a day with more expected as movement licences come through.

But general manager Jeremy Eaton said that using the site as a disinfecting unit would not save the business.

"We run the disinfecting machines at a loss. We have had sales of 4x4s which have gone well, and will be having a sale of fine art and china, and alternative ex-plant hire equipment this week.

"However we need to be trading in livestock to keep the business sustainable."

Skipton MP David Curry has hit out at officials for taking allowing the carcasses of foot and mouth infected animals to be transported along the A65.

Mr Curry, chairman of the House of Commons Agricultural Select Committee, said the lorries had been on their way to a rendering plant in Widnes but had been redirected due to road works on the M6.

"MAFF cannot give orders as to which route they take," he said. "The regional vet has told me there is no risk, which is all very well, but you can imagine the position of farmers in the Dales."

It was also announced this week that British Waterways had reopened the Leeds-Liverpool Canal to boating after taking advice from agricultural and environmental consultants, ADAS, along with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The towpaths, however, will remain closed to other users, including walkers, anglers and cyclists, until further notice.

For the owners of a Skipton canal boat company, the news has come as a relief.

Ian Clarke, of Pennine Cruisers, said: "This means quite a lot. We are not giving money back now. To be honest, after Easter it would have been time to pack up and stop trading. This makes a big difference."

North Yorkshire County Library service is resuming mobile visits in unaffected areas as from Monday. Each vehicle will be equipped with mats and facilities for disinfecting the vehicle at regular intervals.