THREE North West counties including Lancashire are to join forces and lobby for more funding to help the countryside recover from the foot and mouth crisis.

Cumbria, Cheshire and Lancashire County Councils have agreed to work together in campaigning for adequate government and EU funding to rebuild the North West rural economy in the wake of the disease.

The announcement comes just days after members of Lancashire County Council's cabinet rejected a request to put up £300,000 of funding to help support the Lancashire Rural Partnership, a newly-formed organisation which will tap into around £10million of funding coming from the Government already.

Councillors had expressed concern that the failure of the county council to offer the cash could lead to the money, from the North West Development Agency, going elsewhere.

The cabinet did agree that some financial support will be offered, though how much they will offer will not be known until budget time next April.

Representatives of the three counties met in Kendal this week and agreed to work together to achieve the aims of the Rural Recovery Plan supported by the North West Development Agency.

The plan aims to create a more diverse economy in the countryside and help farmers back into business. They also agreed to make direct representations to the Government seeking adequate financial help and to ensure that the experiences of North West authorities, businesses and communities are heeded in the Government enquiries into the outbreak and handling of the disease.

County Councillor Tim Ormrod, Lancashire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Rural Affairs said:

"Foot and Mouth has had a devastating effect on the rural economies of Lancashire, Cumbria and Cheshire. By joining together we can make our voice stronger - tripling the impact.

"This joint approach will give us much greater influence when we speak to the Government.

"We are determined to ensure rural areas of our counties get the best assistance possible through the Rural Recovery Plans."