With much of the tourist trade in Sussex hit by the effects of the foot- and-mouth crisis, local chartered accountants are urging the Government to set up a hardship fund.

The South Eastern Society of Chartered Accountants (SESCA), which has members across Sussex, Surrey and Kent, is backing a call by the profession for urgent help.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants is pressing the Government for a hardship fund after a survey of members showed this was considered the best way to help affected businesses survive the crisis.

Almost half the chartered accountants with clients in tourist-related ccommodation, attractions and retail report the businesses are extremely or very seriously affected.

Chartered accountant Mike Dawe is one of those who responded to the survey. He has clients across a range of tourism businesses in Sussex and knows at first hand of the devastation the disease is causing.

He said: "The takings at one popular little downland pub with a restaurant, which relies on visitors, cyclists and walkers, were more than 60 per cent down over Easter.

"Away from the coast, where businesses did well at Easter, the pubs, restaurants and small hotels are suffering badly. The car parks and the coach parks were empty."

SESCA president George Holdstock said: "The Government has introduced some valuable measures to support farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease.

We believe a further range of financial assistance is required to help businesses in all afflicted sectors to survive and rebuild in the longer term.

"Clearly, the financial effects of foot-and-mouth on businesses in Sussex will continue for a long time. A means-tested hardship fund would help sectors which have been worst hit."

Chartered accountants support the proposal for a one-off Government subsidy of ten per cent of turnover to help businesses survive the impact of the disease (24 per cent think this is the single most important form of immediate help required).

There is also support for the Government to make a contribution to loan/overdraft interest payments for a specific period.

The Skipton Building Society has launched a national campaign offering financial support to rural communities and businesses suffering as a result of the epidemic.