Sussex business owners are calling on banks and government departments to exercise discretion when dealing with firms affected by the foot and mouth crisis.

The Sussex branch of tbe Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has written to the major banks, the British Bankers' Association, the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Local Government Association, urging them to show restraint in demands for repayments of loans and overdrafts, payment of tax, national insurance and business rates in the wake of the epidemic.

The FSB says it is not just farmers who are experiencing cashflow difficulties because of the crisis. Businesses in the transport, retail, leisure, tourism and service sectors, in particular, are now facing problems due to the spread of the disease.

National chairman Ian Handford said: "In many cases, business is 75 per cent below its usual level. Owners of small firms are working to keep their business a viable concern, paying staff and suppliers and trying to make ends meet in these difficult circumstances. The spread of foot and mouth is undoubtedly serious but it is temporary. We are urging tolerance and understanding to allow businesses breathing space to get over this troublesome time."

The FSB has already set up a fund of £500,000 to provide interest-free loans to members adversely affected by the crisis who do not qualify for Government help.

Three new cases of the disease were reported at the weekend, all of them in Cumbria, taking the total to over 320.

Sussex has so far escaped the outbreak but the businesses in rural parts of the county have been affected as the public avoids unnecessary trips to the country.

Precautions have been taken across Sussex to prevent the spread, including large areas of countryside being closed to the public.