A FARMERS' auction market closed since the start of the foot-and-mouth crisis began is to be given a helping hand.

Darlington Farmers Auction Mart Company (DFAM) runs the livestock trading market in Clifton Road, in the town, but it has been closed since February 23.

The company has applied to Darlington Borough Council for help to pay its rates because it has made no money since February.

The market was declared an infected place in March and must remain closed until further notice.

Paul Wildsmith, director of corporate services at Darlington council, said: "Because of the nature of the restrictions in place, the loss of business has been total."

Last year, the auction market dealt with more than 38,000 animals between March and June and earned £76,751 during that period.

But this year no cattle were auctioned during the same period, with the consequence that no income was generated. As a result of the closure, DFAM has laid off all its part-time staff and given two full-time staff notices warning of redundancy.

The council will meet today to decide whether to help the company by paying some of its rates bill for the period between March and August this year.

It will also decide whether to continue to help the business if the restrictions on trading continue.

Under the proposal, the council will meet 25 per cent of the company's rates bill, with the Government meeting the cost of the outstanding amount.

Since the foot-and-mouth outbreak, the Government has agreed to pay more of the costs for people who are suffering in rural areas, but Darlington is not covered by this new rule.

DFAM is the first company to formally request help from the council to deal with the effects of the crisis.

Mr Wildsmith said: "Although this application is the first full application received, there have been inquiries from perhaps half a dozen or so other ratepayers, which suggests further claims will be made in the near future."