ELECTIONS for North Yorkshire County Council look set to go ahead despite calls for a delay until after the foot and mouth crisis is at an end.

Notices of election are being issued for a May 3 poll, but the decision has been sharply criticised by one county councillor, who believes the timing is insensitive.

David Lloyd-Williams, who represents Norton, says there is no way an election can be carried out properly with the UK in the grip of the disease.

"The main problem is that councillors are going to find it difficult to visit farms and rural areas while restrictions are still running," he said.

"Farmers will simply not want us to visit them so it is going to especially hard for councillors in more rural wards.

"Farmers are going to find it difficult to vote - even if they were to have a postal vote they would still have to come into contact with postal vans."

Seven seats are being contested in the Ryedale area - Hovingham/Sheriff Hutton, Huntington North, Kirkbymoorside, Malton, Norton, Pickering and Rillington.

The date can still be changed up until April 3 and Coun Lloyd-Williams says he was hoping the Government will legislate against a May 3 poll.

"That is the only way a May election is going to be stopped," he said.

"It might be harsh on some councillors who were looking forward to retiring but they would only have to wait a few more months before being able to officially stand down."

- A new task force, which is being set up to promote tourism in York and the surrounding area in the face of the foot and mouth crisis, will meet for the first time tomorrow. The task force is part of the First Stop York tourism partnership and aims to make sure international publicity about foot and mouth does not put off visitors from coming to the city.

Updated: 11:49 Monday, March 26, 2001