RURAL businesses in the two counties have been asked to "put stress on the agenda" by a leading charity.

The Rural Stress Information Network (RSIN) offers support and advice to all people in the rural sector, not just those involved in agriculture.

Last week, the charity had a Farming Help stand at the AgriVision exhibition, held at the National Agricultural Centre, in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

Visitors to the stand learned how to avoid unnecessary stress in the workplace by offering initial support and "sign posting" colleagues to the help available.

"Stress is an issue which all employers should address," said Caroline Davies, RSIN director.

"The self-employed are particularly vulnerable and young people training to work in the rural economy of the future need to be equipped to expect stress and develop their own strategies for coping."

She said one of the lessons learned in recent months had been "how so many people struggle on, alone and isolated".

"Our vision for 2002 and beyond is not only to develop an effective support network for those in crisis but also to look to prevention to help people cope with the pressures and enable them to make contact sooner rather than later when things get out of hand."

For more information, phone the Rural Stress Information Network on 01938 810302.