A FREE planning advice service for farmers and agricultural businesses in North Yorkshire has been given the go-ahead to continue until the end of June.

But farmers are being urged to use it soon because the prospects of further free help are uncertain.

Yorkshire Planning Aid is part of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

It has been helping farmers with farm diversification and other planning matters since July 2002 through its North Yorkshire Agricultural Planning Support Service.

Project co-ordinator Mike Dando said: "We are really pleased that the institute has agreed to host the project for a final three months and that many North Yorkshire local authorities have dug deep to find us match-funding for our Single Regeneration Budget grant. But this really is the last chance for farmers to get some free advice for the forseeable future.

"We are definitely not continuing beyond June, and while we are talking to the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward about putting some kind of replacement service into position, there is no guarantee that this will happen.

"The message for farmers is use us while we are still here, and if you intend to use us, use us fast."

Any farmers wanting advice should contact the service by the end of next month to allow time for help before the project ends.

The service hopes there will be a late surge of farmers wanting to take final advantage of offer.