TWO country pursuit businesses are lending their backing to a campaign to support rural communities hit by the foot and mouth crisis.

West Wycombe Gunmakers, trading as EJ Churchill Gunmakers, and Norton & Newby have embraced a ribbon lapel appeal by country clothing manufacturer J Barbour & Sons to help those affected by the crisis.

The initiative, which has already raised £25,000 nationally, was launched in May and follows J Barbour's donation of £250,000 to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution in England and Scotland.

A spokesman for Barbour said farmers, agricultural workers, country businesses, manufacturers and tourists are still being affected by the crisis. In April according to a survey by BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association)/equestrian retail sector) the equestrian world was losing £57 million a month.

Kay Humphries, owner of Norton & Newby in Windsor End, Beaconsfield, said: "The collection box we have in the shop feels quite heavy though we have not totalled up the donations as yet.

"Our business suffered a lot through the crisis. Over Easter there were no horse shows and no-one was coming into the shop. We had to tighten our belts and cut down on stock.

"It has got much better now the shows are almost back to normal."

Alastair Blant in charge of the gunroom at EJ Churchill Gunmakers at the West Wycombe Shooting Ground, said: "We are collecting from our members and guests towards the appeal.

"There are a lot of green lapels across the ground. It is good to see so many people showing their support. I am from a farming background and I feel for those affected by foot and mouth."

Richard Burton at Buckinghamshire County Council said: "The county had been affected by the foot and mouth in a number of different ways, not least in economic terms.

"We appreciate the difficulty that rural businesses have had to face during this difficult period are looking forward to the future and getting the rural economy in Bucks back up to speed."