| The strong sense of community in rural areas has meant that the BBC's county stations have always been popular. So when Foot and Mouth devastated communities, local radio in places such as Devon was the friend that country folk instinctively turned to. BBC Radio Cumbria was typical. For eight months it became the source of information for a stricken region. It set up its own Information Desk that generated seven information bulletins a day. An evening phone-in became a forum for information exchange as well as an emotional safety valve for desperate farmers. 'Everyone here is extremely grateful for the tremendous coverage you have managed to achieve during the Foot and Mouth crisis. I got the impression that the whole of Cumbria tuned in to get clear and accurate information...' Paul Tiplady, Lake District National Park Officer 'A section of the media that received widespread praise in the course of our inquiry has been local radio. It provided the vital service of telling local people what was happening and where in their locality. At its best it was up to date, accessible and regularly available.' Extract from Foot and Mouth Disease 2002: Lessons to be Learned Inquiry | 
