The Mid Wales County Times will give 10p from every issue sold during the next four weeks to alleviate hardship caused by foot and mouth disease.

The cash will go to an organisation providing financial support to businesses struggling to survive during the outbreak.

The newspaper has also launched its Highlight the Plight campaign to make sure the area isn’t forgotten when official compensation is made available.

The campaign aims to make clear the effects of the disease in the area to the Rural Task Force set up by the Prime Minister.

The newspaper is publishing coupons and has started a petition for people to add their name and back the campaign.

County Times editor Iain St John said: “We are not asking for Powys to get special treatment but what we are asking is for Powys to get fair treatment.

“Farming plays a massive part in the Mid Wales economy and when a disaster such as foot and mouth happens, it affects the whole economy.

“We have already reported jobs being lost in Mid Wales as hotels are hit by the disaster.

“We must make sure Powys is at the forefront of the compensation package.”

Several MPs for the area, along with dozens of businesses, have already given their backing to the campaign.

Ron Morris, the managing director of North Wales Newspapers, which owns the County Times, said: “We have been serving the people of Mid Wales for more than 125 years and our loyal readers are experiencing a time of great hardship.

“By donating 10p from every copy of the County Times purchased during the next four weeks we hope we can support the project to tackle rural stress.

“This scheme offers support to everyone working in rural communities. Foot and Mouth disease is affecting us all and the Institute of Rural Health and the Rural Stress Information Network have key roles to play in supporting our readers”

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