A NEW mobile advisory service begins next Friday, following a suggestion made by a farmer at a rural recovery seminar.

Mr David Maughan, of Morton Tinmouth, who is chairman of the NFU livestock committee for Durham and Northumberland, said what was needed in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth epidemic was a roadshow to go round the Durham dales, supported by people who knew what they were talking about.

Now, two months later, his idea has been developed into an outreach advisory service that will use the mobile police office which visits Teesdale and Wear Valley on its regular rota. A farming representative will join partners from a range of organisations to enable people to gain access to advice and support on finance, re-training and business development. It will also direct people to a wide range of additional support services.

Mr Maughan said the idea came about through listening to the needs expressed by the rural community and he was delighted the project had been so warmly supported.

"Communities can at last start working towards a more positive future," he added. "We hope that taking this information into their neighbourhoods will make it easier for people to get the help and support they need."

County Durham and Darlington health authority agreed to redirect funding into the pilot service to replace a rural helpline, which closed earlier this month.

This has been done in partnership with local authorities and voluntary sector partners and has also been supported by a grant from the Rural Stress Initiative Fund, with additional funding sought from the Rural Development Programme.

The service's first port of call next Friday is at Hamsterley, where it will park from 10am-11.30, going on to Witton le Wear from noon-12.45 and Toft Hill from 1-2pm. Further dates and times will be published in the D&S Times as they occur.