CALLS to the Rural Stress Information Network increased sevenfold during the first three months of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, compared to the same period last year.

Speaking at the network's recent annual meeting, director Caroline Davies said it had been a "roller coaster" year for the charity, set up in 1996 to give support to all rural people in distress.

"Looking to the future, one of the major challenges identified by the RSIN will be to encourage people to make contact, so they can be supported by the network and assisted to take advantage of the free help available," she said.

"Many people's lives have been devastated by the foot-and-mouth crisis and its far-reaching affects to those in the rural community will continue over the weeks and months ahead."

The Rural Stress Information Network is an "umbrella" charity working with a range of partners in England and Wales, and, at a local level, with farming and rural support groups.

In November, the first Rural Stress Action Plan was launched by MAFF, now Defra, accompanied by a Government grant of £500,000.

It was administered by the RSIN in conjunction with its partner organisations which included the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), Farm Crisis Network (FCN), Arthur Rank Centre (ARC), The Samaritans, National Farmers' Union, Country Land and Business Association, Tenant Farmers' Association and Rural Agricultural and Allied Workers at the Transport & General Workers Union.

"The Rural Stress Action Plan brought together all the farming charities and concerned organisations to implement projects aimed at giving support to those in distress in rural communities," said Mrs Davies.

"The second Action Plan has just been approved and we are delighted that the working group has been joined by the Department of Health and the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux."

She said already the farming help charities RABI, FCN and ARC had commissioned a three-month study, in conjunction with the RSIN, to look at how the experiences of those devastated by foot-and-mouth could inform the development of the support network and wider policy.

"Our role is clear," said Mrs Davies.

"We will continue to work to become the first point of contact for the rural stress network and offer support to those in distress, signposting them to the help available.

"Regionally, we can be pro-active in helping local initiatives and respond to their needs."