FARMERS needing a new start in life after foot-and-mouth are being thrown a lifeline by a church organisation.

Bob Baker has been appointed by the Churches Regional Commission for Yorkshire and the Humber to offer support to rural communities in Swaledale, Wensleydale and Arkengarthdale.

The project, which has been created through a partnership with the Farm Crisis Network, will be based in Leyburn.

Mr Baker will work alongside farmers and their families, helping to point them towards other avenues of support and financial assistance.

A farmer for 27 years, he has experience of making the difficult decision to sell up and move in new directions when his own business was in decline.

Since then he has continued working as a consultant and councillor in the Hambleton district, although other members of his family remain in the farming industry.

Howard Petch, chairman of the Yorkshire branch of the Farm Crisis Network and vice-chairman of the Churches Regional Commission, said: "This is a time of unprecedented change within the rural community with particular emphasis on agricultural restructuring.

"Mr Baker's role aims to harness the advice and support available to improve the take-up of services for farm and rural business appraisal and development."

David Maughan, chairman of the North Riding and Durham branch of the National Farmers Union, said: "It is good to see the church taking on a pro-active role in rural affairs.

"Our own research clearly shows the industry has been in a marked decline for the last seven or eight years, so we certainly wish Mr Baker well in his new role.