A BIG step to helping scores of struggling moorland businesses, devastated as a result of this year's foot and mouth disease outbreak, is being masterminded by the North York Moors National Park Authority.

A project officer is being appointed by the authority to help local businesses and communities in the park, as a result of funding from Yorkshire Forward, the Government's regional development agency.

Mike Pratt, the head of information at the Helmsley-based authority, said: "The aim is to develop the assets of the park in the wake of foot and mouth."

The project will build on the success of Brigantia, the highly-successful group of arts and crafts workers in Ryedale, and the park, which formed the organisation with the help of the authority and the former Rural Development Commission.

"We want to develop sustainable economic and environmental benefits in the park by using its natural and cultural assets and the neighbouring Howardian Hills Area Of Natural Beauty.

"The new post is a great opportunity for someone with the right blend of practical business experience, communication skills and a keen interest in environmental issues. Such a person could make a real difference to rural communities in the park."

Mr Pratt said: "We want to develop the marketing potential of small businesses in the park. There are many involved in food production and a wide range of craft and art workers."

He added: "Brigantia has been a splendid flagship, enabling many one-man businesses producing some excellent goods to market them effectively."

Brigantia now has its own retail complex after transforming the old stable block, a listed property at The Hall, Thornton-le-Dale, into a haven for products made by members of the group.

The products, displayed in the one-time stalls in the stables, range from ties, scarves and cushions, to wooden toys, paintings and porcelain.

The manager of Thornton-le-Dale Arts and Crafts centre, Patsy Richardson, said: "We are building up a good customer base, attracting a large number of tourists and visitors to The Hall. We have had many compliments about the high standard and range of our goods made in Ryedale and the National Park. The stable block has become a splendid shop window to provide the craft workers with a good marketing opportunity."

Sandra Grundy, of the North Yorkshire County Council economic development unit, which now runs Brigantia, said: "We now have 85 members and even some from East Yorkshire."

The county council provides the funding for Brigantia along with the councils of Ryedale, Scarborough Borough, Redcar and Cleveland Borough, East Yorkshire Borough.

Ms Grundy, who is the support officer for the group, said that many of the businesses had been hard hit by FMD this year in their area, and the crisis had been aggravated because the ten agricultural shows where Brigantia would normally have exhibited, were cancelled. Instead, special shows were staged in York and Harrogate in an attempt to win back some of the lost business.

"The Thornton-le-Dale shop has proved a great success and as it becomes better known we are confident it will be not only be a boon for the craft workers, but also a new tourist attraction for Ryedale."

Updated: 09:49 Thursday, December 27, 2001