LOCAL businesses are queuing up for financial help after an announcement that East Hampshire District Council will be offering rate relief for those affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

It is estimated that there are just over 350 businesses in the district which could or have been affected.

EHDC corporate director (environment) Lynda Peacock told The Herald that the council had had inquiries from businesses within 24 hours of releasing the news that it hoped to introduce measures aimed at lessening the hardship faced by businesses in the district.

"We have had a number of local businesses and individuals in business contacting us about this, because it has had national coverage in the last few days."

She said councillors felt it was important to deal with the rate relief applications quickly and accurately.

"We want to make sure that the people who most need help, get it quickly," she stressed.

Members of EHDC's policy and resources committee last Wednesday earmarked around £35,000 to fund the rate relief help.

Officers are being given delegated powers to consider applications and award hardship relieve to businesses with rateable values up to £12,000.

Where rateable values are above this, applications will be looked at by the council's new cabinet, which comes into effect next month.

Officers estimate that just over 300 business properties with a rateable value up to £12,000 are affected in East Hampshire and a further 50 properties with rateable values over this would qualify.

There is also one potential applicant with a rateable value of more than £100,000.

The officers believe that the cost of giving rate relief for three months to the lower rated group would be £10,000, and a further £23,000 for the higher rated group.

Miss Peacock said that, apart from farms which are exempt from rates, businesses affected include food processors, manufacturers and retailers, tourist attractions, bed and breakfasts, hotels, restaurants, pubs and transport and haulage firms.

"This is not a definitive list and it will be for the council to make a decision in the light of the knowledge gained about the effects on the individual business concerned," she said.

The rate relief awards will be made from April 1 for a period of no more than three months.