THE future looks orange for the Vale of York after painters got to work on the controversial new pylons which now dot the landscape just north of York.

But National Grid assured residents and conservationists today that the yellow-orange paint on pylons at Station Farm, Alne, near Easingwold, is merely an undercoat and will soon be hidden under a topcoat of grey.

The work raised the eyebrows of farmers John and Richard Gill, who were not only concerned about the visual impact but also about whether the paint was toxic.

A spokesman for National Grid, which is constructing a controversial power line across the Vale from Teesside to Shipton-by-Beningbrough, said today the painting had been carried out in accordance with health and safety requirements. He said the undercoat was intentionally a bright colour so that the painters could spot any areas they missed with the grey paint, which would be applied within a matter of days.

Updated: 15:36 Friday, October 11, 2002