The county was the hardest hit in England, and farmers, tourism, and agricultural businesses were all hit.

Now the Northwest Development Agency and Cumbria County Council have created the Cumbria Rural Regeneration Company.

Those selected for the new company include business people from the county, and representatives of the tourism industry.

Tourism boss

As well as funding regeneration after foot-and-mouth, it will also put together a rural action zone strategy.

The new board members include James Carr the chairman of the Cumberland Building Society, and Chris Collier, who is the chief executive of Cumbria Tourist Board.

Other members include Freddie Markham, the founder and chairman of Travelling Light, and Kate Braithwaite, the chief executive of Voluntary Action Cumbria.