A SPECIAL information service is being launched on the airwaves for people affected by the cluster of foot-and-mouth cases in the Thirsk area.

BBC Radio York is running a regular information/advice programme for 20 minutes each week day evening, at 5.30pm, on its 104.3FM Thirsk transmitter only. Spokesman David Dunning said: "The situation is very critical in Thirsk and there's a lot of fear and rumours.

"We plan to offer the people who live in this part of the Vale of York a daily one-stop information shop where they can get a comprehensive round up of what's going on."

The station has provided different levels of service to cope with the demands of the disease, but this is the first time an area directly served by a separate transmitter has been hit.

The idea is to offer a more focused service and the emphasis will be on information rather than rumour and opinion .

The programmes will be presented by the station's farming reporter Victoria Green, herself a farmer's wife, as well as a rural affairs journalist.