A SEMINAR aimed at giving direction to farmers in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis is to be staged in Blackburn this month.

It will offer advice to farmers who are looking to the future, not only for their businesses, but also for their way of life in the countryside.

The forum, organised by Athertons chartered surveyors in Whalley, had originally been set to take place in February, but was cancelled as the foot and mouth epidemic swept through East Lancashire. John Atherton said: "There are a lot of country people who are now asking what they are going to do next and we hope this seminar will give them some direction and some hope.

"The predicament facing farmers was bad enough before the foot and mouth disaster, now they need more help than ever before, as do other businesses and communities, which have suffered from the knock-on effect."

The epidemic this summer hit 37 farms in East Lancashire and tens of thousands of animals were culled.

Animal movements are still restricted and farms in whole countryside communities in the Ribble Valley today stand empty.

Mr Atherton added: "An experienced and qualified range of speakers will attempt to cover the main issues concerning several aspects of the industry and, with the aid of a panel of experts in the fields of planning, law, accountancy, business management and land agency, hopefully a few hard questions will be answered."

The seminar takes place at Mytton Fold Hotel in Langho, on October 17, starting at 7pm, and speakers will include Jed Bartley from Natwest; John Welbank from the Government-backed support service Bowland Initiative; Jim Richards of Farming and Agricultural Finance; Barry Davies of the National Farm Attractions Network and Mr Atherton.