Will Rogers had his application for business rate relief rejected because his pottery business didn't fit the criteria for the council's foot-and-mouth hardship scheme.

Mr Rogers is not a farmer or a hotelier but his pottery business has been hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis nevertheless.

Business owners don't need statistics to tell them tourist numbers are down this summer and it is clear many are suffering as a result.

Traders in Lewes have had a particularly tough time with disastrous flooding, the fuel crisis and foot-and-mouth piling on the agony in the last year.

Small businesses need all the help they can get and local authorities must do all they can to make sure the business community feels it is being looked after.