A SMALL town is fighting back after being hard hit by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Last year was one of the worst on record for tourism, and other businesses, in the Masham area, principally because of the crisis.

However, despite the problems caused by the disease, the Mashamshire Association of Tourism and Trade (MATT) has made great strides during the past 12 months.

The association was active in creating events to attract visitors, making a promotional video and applying for grants to help suffering businesses.

As a result of the association's efforts, an application to Yorkshire Forward resulted in a cash grant being given to pay for distribution of the promotional video and also to provide computer facilities.

The association now has two computers, a scanner, printers, software and Internet access, housed in an office in the Kings Head Yard, Masham.

"We hope to encourage local businesses who do not have computer facilities to take advantage of new technology," said a spokesman.

"The new facilities will allow businesses to use computerised accounting. And, by investing in an excellent printer and scanner, it will be possible to create professional quality promotional material.

"Most importantly for a rural community, the provision of e-mail and Internet access will allow Mashamshire firms to extend their communications, marketing and advertising to embrace a global market."

The computers are also available for the use of anyone in the Mashamshire community, for a small charge.

It is hoped that, when the MATT website is fully functioning, businesses will be able to trade more easily on the web - a form of trade which saw a 40 per cent rise in the pre-Christmas period.

"Doing so would help attain a more diverse trading base, which will be less susceptible to the vagaries of the unpredictable rural economy," said the spokesman.

Anyone wishing to use the MATT computers should contact Maureen Simon at Uredale Glass on Ripon (01765) 689780