STRUGGLING upland farmers on the North Yorkshire Moors have been given a lifeline by being paid to carry out age-old skills in the countryside.

The North York Moors National Park Authority and The National Trust have joined forces to set up the new Bransdale Conservation Scheme which covers some of the most spectacular scenery in the park, north of the historic market town of Kirkbymoorside.

Bob Dicker, property manager for the NT in the park, said: "The scheme is an opportunity to get much-needed conservation work carried out using the Trust's tenant farmers".

The Trust which owns some 2000 acres of Bransdale, has 11 tenant farmers in the area. "They have many traditional skills which can be used rather than bringing in outside contractors. It will help boost their incomes and aid the dale's economy," said Mr Dicker.

The work includes repairing and maintaining the miles of dry stone walls which are a key feature of the landscape in Bransdale, with some dating back three centuries. Other work involves creating woodland, planting native trees, and caring for the fine mature trees, he added.

Restoring old hedge lines, which have become overgrown, and managing hay meadows to benefit wildlife, especially birds and flora, are also involved in the project which is intitially due to last five years.

"It is an area which has never been exploited by visitors and we want to keep it as one which can be discovered rather than one which is promoted as a tourist spot," said Mr Dicker.

Fraser Hugill, a conservation officer with the National Park Authority, said the jointly-funded scheme was an extension of the Farm Scheme which already covers the beauty spots of Bilsdale, Raisdale, Danby Dale, Westerdale, Rosedale and Farndale.

Agreements are currently being completed with the farmers to enable the work to get underway.