FARMS in Ryedale are boosting their income with an influx of visitors wanting bed-and-breakfast accommodation.
It follows the launching of a campaign by Farmstay UK and the Home Grown Cereals Authority to encourage tourists to stay in farmhouse accommodation and to sample home-produced food.
Nigel Embry, chief executive of Farmstay, said: "Farmers in Ryedale and the North Yorkshire Moors are looking to the summer season with renewed confidence and determination after last year's setback due to foot and mouth disease."
He added that the Meat and Livestock Commission, Food from Britain, National Farmers' Union and Lion Eggs were all backing a campaign which was expected to see an upsurge in people staying in farmhouses in Ryedale and North Yorkshire, he said.
"The season has got off to a healthy start after a splendid Easter bank holiday," said Mr Embry.
In some cases, bed-and-breakfast had become the primary source of income for struggling farms, he added. In Yorkshire. there were now 130 farms offering bed-and- breakfast and self-catering accommodation.
Updated: 09:30 Thursday, April 11, 2002
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