PUBLICAN Frances Debenham, who was one of the worst hit victims of the foot-and-mouth disease in the North Yorkshire Moors tourist industry, is to celebrate her business bouncing back by doing a 13,500ft parachute jump for charity.

Recalling how she took only £2.08 one week at her Feversham Arms in the beauty spot of Farndale, Mrs Debenham said her life fell apart two years ago.

She said that as tourists stayed away from the dale, she was also going through a divorce.

Mrs Debenham fought back thanks to Government help through Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency.

"I even spoke to Tony Blair on the radio at the time of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, and explained the plight I was in, and as a result he sent Yorkshire Forward staff to see me"

Now with her three letting bedrooms upgraded, and the remainder of the pub and its 140-seat dining rooms revamped, she said prospects looked good for the summer season.

Tourists have returned, some even from as far as California and Trinidad, to walk the miles of country lanes and moors around picture-postcard Farndale.

In the next few weeks she is to undertake what she describes as her most daring challenge yet - a 13,500ft parachute jump to raise money for the Weston Spirit Charity set up by Falklands War veteran Simon Weston to help deprived children.

Friends and villagers are rallying round and a barbecue is planned next month to boost her sponsorship fund.