A RECOVERY plan has been launched to give rural communities a boost following the foot-and-mouth crisis.

It focuses on six key areas and is aimed at building a stronger urban and rural economy and the action that various organisations can take.

"No single body can do everything," said Richard Wigginton, Worcestershire County Council's director of environmental services, who presented the plan at a forum of senior representatives from organisations all over the county.

"It must be a joint effort, requiring joint commitment to deliver."

The plan's six key issues are economic strategy, business support, tourism, regeneration, food and drink, countryside access and leisure.

Partnership working was central to the activities mentioned in the plan, he said at the plan's launch.

The foot-and-mouth crisis - when there were 26 cases in Worcestershire - highlighted many issues of concern for the rural community and brought about new links with a diverse range of partners, such as Worcestershire Health Authority and the Young Farmers Clubs.

Councillor Alwyn Davies, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, reinforced the importance of working with Worcestershire's many organisations in order to protect the community.

"This meeting shows our commitment to working in partnership with others and demonstrates out continuous support for the rural community," he said.

"It has highlighted the far-reaching impact of foot-and-mouth disease on the rural economy and brought to the surface other important underlying issues."