WORCESTERSHIRE and Hereford- shire farmers hit by foot-and-mouth disease are to be offered free planning advice to make alternative use of their land.

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said they would be entitled to a day of a planning consultant's time - worth up to £800.

Mr Michael said they may want to open bed and breakfasts or shops, instead of carrying on with farming.

"We're determined to give farmers vital help and the support they need for diversifying their businesses as a consequence of foot-and-mouth, and more generally failing economic returns," he said.

"They may well want to move from traditional crop or livestock production into different forms of farming or activities completely outside farming.

"These could be farm shops and tourism activities like bed and breakfast.

"This advice will help farmers with that important first step along the road to understanding and satisfying the requirements of the planning system."

Farmers who want to take up the offer must prepare a summary of what they want to do, and then contact their local DEFRA office.

If the project is accepted "in principle", they will be given a list of suitable planning consultants working locally.

The farmer is then instructed to employ and pay the consultant, with the money being re-imbursed by the Government under the Rural Enterprise Scheme.

Further information is available from DEFRA offices or on the department's website - www.defra.gov.uk

The advice available from the planning consultant will include a site visit, a feasibility study, site plans and sketches.