TERRITORIAL Army members in Preston are being asked to give up time from work to help farmers cope with the foot and mouth crisis.

Part-time troops are needed to join the permanent staff and regular soldiers from across the region who are co-ordinating the disposal of the carcasses of animals affected by the disease.

Among those who have rushed to offer their services are members of the Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers (LCV), which has its headquarters at Kimberley Barracks in Deepdale Road, Preston. They have set up a base at Alexandria Barracks in Lancaster.

Captain Bill Haworth is part of the 30-strong team currently working round the clock to support the effort. He said: "We are here working with MAFF representatives who are leading the operation. We have a team of military liaison officers who act as the bridge between the farmer and the different authorities.

"This helps the farmer as he is no longer isolated because of the disease."

Many of the troops from the LCV have already been to the worst affected areas in Cumbria and have helped organise the disposal of thousands of animals which were decomposing after being slaughtered.

Because of the Preston soldiers' efforts in what has been codenamed Operation Peninsular, slaughtered animals are being cleared up quicker than new cases are being uncovered.

But the disease is now so widespread, volunteer members of the LCV and other TA units are being sought to help the regulars.

"The more people we can get up here, the quicker we can clear all the cases up," said Capt Haworth.

"We are currently in contact with our battalions all over Lancashire with a view to boosting the numbers at our base. This means almost every farmer in the county can be visited and we can make the whole traumatic process that little bit better for them."

Two more cases of foot and mouth were confirmed in Lancashire by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food yesterday.

One is at a farm owned by H and MI Pye at Chipping, just 12 miles from Preston, and another at Bell Hill Farm at Forton, about 17 miles from Preston.