STRUGGLING small businesses are calling on the Government for more help.

North firms hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis last year say more direct help and less red tape is needed.

Peter Troy, chairman of the Darlington branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "Running small businesses is never easy, but the Government can do a lot to make life easier when things go wrong, like foot-and-mouth and the impact on the tourist industry after the September 11 attacks.

"A whole lot of European regulations come out of Brussels and Strasbourg, which the British Government have been delighted to gold plate. Many small businesses do not have the resources to deal with it."

A study by the University of Strathclyde found that only 36 per cent of firms in the region achieve a turnover of £100,000 to £500,000, with nearly 20 per cent making less than £50,000.

More than 60 per cent of businesses canvassed were concerned at the volume and complexity of legislation.

Mr Troy said: "It is very easy for the corporate world to get direct access to the Government machine. We, the FSB, believe it's imperative that the small business voice is heard."