FARMERS and rural residents in the Biddulph area have been offered help to deal with the stress of the current Foot and Mouth Crisis.

The Staffordshire Rural Stress Support Network is a new network which has been established by the county council as a reaction to the crisis.

There have been no new cases over Easter and the total number in Staffordshire on Wednesday still stood at 47, with Cheshire having 11 but the threat of an outbreak constantly hangs over farmers' heads.

It is intended that the network will provide guidance and friendly support through trained volunteers.

Malcolm Carroll is a member of the Staffordshire Network and said: "We are sure the help will be needed long after the final case of foot and mouth is ever declared.

"We are pleased to be able to offer more help to the rural community at this time," he added.

The network has been set up with the help of Clare Hill from a similar scheme in Shropshire.

Mrs Hill said: "Over the years we have built up an extensive range of contacts who can provide practical help to rural people who have business or domestic problems.

"We are really pleased to offer our assistance and are confident that we will all be able to build on the success of the Shropshire Network in helping distressed rural people, especially at this anxious time," she added.

The Staffordshire network is also on the look out for any volunteers who are willing to offer their services and anyone who is interested should contact 01785 242525.

The number for the network is 0870 7074445.