RESIDENTS of a village pioneering a conservation initiative have explained their hopes to a minister from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Nature conservation minister Ben Bradshaw was shown round the parish of Skipwith, near Selby, yesterday, by tenant farmers who have recently joined the Countryside Stewardship agreement.

Six tenant farms and managers at Skipwith Back Common have drawn up ten-year agreements with Defra, which will lead to greater public access to the countryside.

The seven-year-old scheme offers payments to farmers and land managers to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside.

Mr Bradshaw admired a 350-strong herd of hardy Hebridean sheep, under the guidance of 58-year-old shepherd Colin Bull.

The minister then walked along an ancient moated field, at the heart of the Countryside Stewardship area.

Mr Bradshaw said the scheme was "unique", and school children would benefit from visits to the village.

He said: "What's happening in Skipwith is really interesting and very exciting. It would make a great A-level geography project.

"It would be wonderful to see something like this happening and to see how it changes and how it affects the economy and environment.

"It's sometimes quite shocking when you talk to children about where their fish fingers come from and they don't know.

"There's so many different things happening and everybody seems to be working together, making a model for the rest of the community."

Braving the rain, Mr Bradshaw heard how most of the tenant farmers have had to seek part-time employment, to supplement their farming income.

It is hoped the scheme will help to create a new footpath, grass margins and winter stubble for birds, and restore ponds and ancient apple orchards.

Geoff Eastwood, tenant farmer and vice-chairman of Skipwith Parish Council, said the tenants had decided to sign up after receiving encouraging letters about the scheme from estate manager Charles Forbes Adam.

Mr Eastwood said: "It was the letter from Charlie that made us think. We just needed a little push."

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, July 30, 2003