Prince's

donation

to farmers

A ROYAL donation of half a million pounds is to be given to suffering farming communities throughout the UK - thanks to Prince Charles.

The Prince has announced that the whole of the year 2000 profits from his Duchy Originals products will be given to six charities who are working with farming families brought to the brink of despair by the foot and mouth crisis.

In making his announcement the Prince said: 'In many cases farmers are receiving no income whatsoever. Not only are they having difficulties meeting household bills, many find it increasingly difficult to pay for animal feed and bedding. I want to do everything I can to help these farmers and their families keep their heads above the water.'

The £500,000 royal donation will include £400,000 from Duchy Originals profits and £100,000 from the private Duke of Cornwall's Benevolent Fund – the latter to be channelled especially to farmers in the South West.

Of the charities to receive the cash will be two which assist farmers with domestic bills, one which helps with bedding and animal feed and three, including the Samaritans, who aim to help those farmers suffering from stress and thoughts of suicide.

It is believed the Prince, who is the Duke of Cornwall, briefed agriculture minister, Nick Brown, on his plans when they met on Wednesday.

l There was praise this week from Liskeard Chamber of Commerce for the scheme announced last week by Cornish Times owner Sir Ray Tindle, who has made a substantial cash lifeline available to small business hit by the crisis. See story inside.

Ten Tors

cancelled

THE Foot and Mouth outbreak has forced cancellation of the 2001 Ten Tors Expedition. Following consultation with Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Army, this week, called off this year's event - scheduled for May 12 and 13.

Event director, Brigadier Tony Faith, Commander 43 (Wessex) Brigade, said: 'Teams have already been prevented from very necessary training and deciding now, reluctantly and with regret, to call a halt to the 2001 Ten Tors can only be sensible and right.'

Pregnancy rates

for the under 18s

CORNWALL and the Isles of Scilly have a rate of 39.4 conceptions per l,000 for young women under the age of 18, which is lower than England's average rate of 46.5 conceptions per l,000.

The figures were given in a county council and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NHS teenage pregnancy strategy. Rates do vary within the county, with Penwith having a rate of 57.5 per l,000 young women under 18 - putting it in the top 20% in the country for teenage pregnancy rates.