A Great Wakering couple whose business was badly hit during the foot-and-mouth crisis are hoping to recover lost trade thanks to a Government grant.

David and Magi Hobbs, who run specialist door mat firm Magimat in Great Wakering High Street, lost around £15,000 when county shows and other exhibitions were cancelled in the wake of the crisis.

Now a £7,000 grant from the East of England Development Agency has helped them get back on track.

David Hobbs said: "We get a third of our sales from stands at county shows and that's a high chunk to lose."

The money came from a recovery fund, which was set up in July to help small businesses recover from the economic effects of the crisis.

Published Friday December 28, 2001