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FOOT AND MOUTH - HEART AND SOUL

Moving personal accounts of the foot and mouth outbreak in Cumbria have been compiled into a book by Radio Cumbria producer Caz Graham.

Foot and Mouth - Heart and Soul, is expected to be on sale in late November. The book will be officially launched by Director General of the BBC Greg Dyke on December 7 at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, attended by all contributors.

The 208 page book has had financial backing by Radio Cumbria, which has won numerous awards, including BBC Radio Station of the Year, for its coverage during the foot and mouth crisis.

Caz Graham, herself the daughter of a farmer, former Harrison & Hetherington director William Graham, of Cargo Farm, has put together accounts from 50 people for the book.

"Compiling the book has probably been one of the most rewarding times in my profession," said Caz. "Most people have e-mailed their articles to me. As I have started to read some I have burst into tears yet others have had me howling with laughter, such as the one from Holly the collie who has put on weight because she has no work to do!"

The accounts range from those written by MP David Maclean, Chris Bonington, Hunter Davies and Brigadier Alex Birtwistle to a fell access point attendant, a National Park ranger, a GP, school children, hoteliers and of course farmers and others involved in the tourism and rural industry.

H&H chief executive Trevor Hebdon has also contributed to the book. It also includes many photographs, documentation of official MAFF and National Park 'no entry' signs, and cartoons by Colin Shelbourn who draws for the Westmorland Gazette.

The cover is a painting by Jean Roper from Penruddock - a striking painting of a farmer, his wife and their child standing in front of a dry stone wall watching a pyre, done in a very simple style. Jean is originally from a farming family and painted this after watching the farm over the valley go down to foot and mouth.

All of the profits from the book are going to the Cumbria Community Recovery Fund which is the official county charity for this, run by the Cumbria Community Foundation and endorsed by the Prince of Wales.

Foot and Mouth - Heart and Soul: A collection of personal accounts of the foot and mouth outbreak in Cumbria 2001 will be on sale at £5.99 in local village shops, many local bookshops, at BBC Radio Cumbria and by phone from Radio Cumbria. All profits are going to the charity.