MORE than a billion pounds worth of Euro aid could be on the way for people whose livelihoods have been threatened by the beef crisis.

The cash could offer a lifeline to towns and villages, including those in Lancashire, which have been hit by the crisis.

And Lancashire Central Labour Euro MP Mark Hendrick believes the Labour European Parliamentary plan to unlock funds for the British beef and food processing industry could get rural areas back on their feet.

The funding, which would create a new post-BSE British beef industry, would be in addition to compensation already on offer to farmers.

Mr Hendrick says bans on British beef will not be lifted for years, in which time jobs and skills will be lost forever, companies will have ceased trading and the economy of some Lancashire rural areas could be altered permanently.

He said: "There are many European aid programmes which could be used to help the local economy and the beef industry over the next few years.

"I don't want to give the impression that there is a pot of gold waiting for rural Lancashire, but there are funds which could be tapped."

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