EAST Lancashire Tory MP Nigel Evans has given away next year's pay rise to help farmers suffering from the foot and mouth crisis.

He's handed the cash over inclusive of tax and taken the risk that he might not be re-elected to his Ribble Valley constituency when Tony Blair goes to the polls. Mr Evans was furious when the Review Body on Senior Salaries recommended that MPs should get an extra £4,000 a year in two stages of £2,000 annually after the next election, putting their pay through the £50,000 a year barrier. Mr Evans said: "I was very angry when the Revue Body reported at a time when farmers are in crisis.

"The two increases proposed are more than some farmers now earn in a year."

The money has gone to Farm Aid, a group of six charities including the Samaritans.