TARR Steps businesswoman Judy Carless has been elected chairman of the newly-formed pressure group Living Exmoor.

Ms Carless, whose own tea rooms have been forced to close during the day due to dwindling tourist numbers as a result of the foot and mouth crisis, famously tackled the Prime Minister about the problems faced by people living and working on the moor.

She was elected chairman at a packed meeting of Living Exmoor held in Dulverton Town Hall on Monday.

Representatives from the South West of England Regional Development Agency, Somerset Business Link, West Somerset District Council, Exmoor National Park Authority and local members of Somerset County Council attended.

They were there to answer questions from people with small businesses who had seen their trade decimated by the crisis.

The meeting heard about businesses that had already been forced to close, about how one farm holiday business had been advised by MAFF not to have visitors and how one local delicatessen was on the brink of collapse.

This led to calls for immediate cash support from central Government, although there was praise for West Somerset District Council for setting up its own fighting fund.

A spokesman for Living Exmoor said: "This pro-active authority understands the local problems.

"It is necessary for other Government departments at county, regional and national levels to follow suit and support these failing businesses.

"With no cash now, there will be less of a base to work up when trying to regenerate."

There was more criticism of the Government on the issue of disinfectant points, with Living Exmoor members accusing politicians of doing nothing to help keep the moor free of the disease.

Having already taken direct action by manning voluntary disinfectant points around the moor, Living Exmoor members are now planning to offer even more help to those hit by the crisis.

Discussions are continuing into the possibility of setting up a charitable trust to administer a hardship fund to offer immediate financial support to businesses.

Members are also calling for the Government to amend its Small Business Development Loan Scheme by deferring all payments for three years and thereafter allowing monthly repayments over a maximum of five years.

Members also feel that the loan scheme should be interest-free and not charged at commercial rates with an additional premium of between 0.5 and 1.5 per cent as it is at the moment.