FARMERS in Bromsgrove, whose lives have been blighted by the foot and mouth epidemic, can look forward to short-term tax relief.

Bromsgrove District Council's head of financial services, Andrew Fisher, has offered farmers a three-month deferment in paying tax after being contacted by concerned workers.

In July the situation will be reviewed.

At last Wednesday's meeting of the authority, Mr Fisher read a report which said: "I have written to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions asking that Bromsgrove be designated an area for assistance."

The town has not been included in a list of zones earmarked as being in need of financial support and Mr Fisher is waiting for the Government's reply.

Details of assistance available can be found on the Internet at www.voa.gov.uk or www.maff.-gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.htm

l BUSINESSES in Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa hit by foot and mouth are set to benefit from a slice of a £2m windfall.

The grant has come from central government and will be split between Worcestershire and Staffordshire to give funding to those hit hardest.

Cash will be distributed through development agency Advantage West Midlands to the county's Business Link Service.

It will be allocated to companies that can prove they have suffered from the knock-on effects of foot and mouth.