PROJECTS are under way to boost the profile of a unique part of Ryedale.

North Yorkshire farmer Derek Watson is hoping to diversify to keep his Wolds business afloat, and a district council scheme to find out what Wolds residents want for the future has been launched.

Mr Watson, former National Farmers' Union county chairman, has been given the go-ahead by planners to move out of pig farming and create a caravan and camping site.

He told members of the district council's planning committee that economically the campsite was one of the few options left open.

"Our farm really is not commercially viable any more," he said. "We do know that there is an ongoing upgrade of the Wolds Way, and we get walkers coming through who say there are very few places to stay along it."

Mr Watson said he hoped the campsite would encourage visitors to come and experience more of the Wolds - one of the less well-known areas in Ryedale.

Skylarks, owls, finches and buzzards are some of the native birds on the site, said Mr Watson.

"If we restore a large part of our farm to how it was 40 or 50 years ago, the benefit will be to the whole of Ryedale."

Coun Brian Cottam said siting a caravan park in the Wolds was a sensitive issue.

But he said that as well as boosting tourism, it would help prevent long-term neglect on farms struggling to survive by encouraging people to think about the future.

A special roadshow will take place across the Wolds to create an action plan of how residents would like to see their communities develop.

Local people, supported by the district council, Ryedale Voluntary Action and the Ryedale Strategic Partnership, will be working on the plan.

"We are urging local people to attend these roadshows" said Jo Reilly, community link officer.

"Everyone's views do count".

The roadshow visits Birdsall village hall from 2pm to 7pm tomorrow and Wintringham village hall on Tuesday July 8, from 2pm to 7pm.

Updated: 08:56 Monday, June 30, 2003