CONSERVATIVE Parliamentary candidate for Leominster, Bill Wiggin, has drawn up a rescue plan for a "countryside recovery".

Mr Wiggin, whose constituency includes part of northern Worcestershire, claimed his party had supported the Government in its efforts to contain the foot-and-mouth epidemic, but blamed Ministers for being slow off the mark.

"The effect of foot-and-mouth has been terrible not only for farmers, but for businesses that depend on the countryside," he said.

"Herefordshire and Worcestershire need positive, clear action."

His list of suggestions include interest-free loans for rural businesses to alleviate cash flow problems, imposing precautionary restrictions on imported meat and automatically refunding one month's VAT liability for rural businesses.

He also wants the Inland Revenue to allow farmers and tourism businesses to offset losses expected this year against the tax due for last year earlier than normal.

The Government, he said, should exercise "flexibility" in the Jobseeker's Allowance to allow businesses to hire staff on an ad hoc basis and make a permanent cut in business rates for the rural sector, paid for by abolishing regional development agencies such as Advantage West Midlands.