Cash relief earmarked for only the areas worst-hit by foot-and-mouth has met with "amazement and disbelief" in the eastern region.

The Government is targeting £15 million at the regions most seriously affected by the epidemic. But the East of England Development Agency says while few farms in its area have been affected, the tourism industry is losing £25 million a week.

Board member Marie Skinner, who chairs the regional task force set up to tackle the disease's economic impact, is calling on the Government to recognise the effects on rural firms.

Expressing her "amazement and disbelief", she added: "This latest announcement from Government misses the point.

"Although few of the East of England's farmers are witnessing the horror of having their livestock slaughtered, nevertheless the wider impact is very serious.

"The East of England has the second-largest tourism industry of all English regions, which is currently suffering losses of £25 million a week. The knock-on effect for the rural economy is devastating."

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