A BEEF and sheep farm in a picturesque part of the North York Moors is diversifying - into health and beauty.

The new business venture at Craven Garth Farm in Rosedale will offer a range of natural, locally-produced health and beauty treatments as Ena Dent realises her dream, thanks to help from Defra's fast track vocational training scheme.

She is one of the first people in Yorkshire to benefit from the new funding, which is helping to finance her City and Guilds course in beauty therapy. Treatments will include aromatherapy, facials, manicures and massage.

Mrs Dent and her husband, Trevor, together with Trevor's brother, run the family-owned beef and sheep farm.

For the past 14 years, people have visited the farm to stay in its seven holiday cottages and Mrs Dent recently decided to expand the business into beauty treatments for her guests.

She was delighted when Defra approved her application for funding for the course and surprised how quickly it was approved.

"I had always dreamt of branching out into other areas and the VTS scheme allows people like me to take positive action to make that happen," she said.

The treatments available at the farm offer visitors more choice. They can take in the idyllic surroundings of the countryside, go for long walks along the moor, or simply take time out to pamper themselves.

"I wanted to use natural, locally-made products for my treatments as I feel that there's so much good quality produce right on our doorstep and, by buying locally, I can also help strengthen the rural economy," said Mrs Dent.

The vocational training scheme has been running for three years and provides up to 75pc of the cost towards vocational training for people involved in farming or forestry who want to broaden their skills.

The fast track element of the scheme has been introduced for people like Mrs Dent who wish to sign up for an individual course and whose application needs to be processed quickly.

Lee McQue, Defra's rural development service adviser for Yorkshire and the Humber, said the VTS fast track allowed people in the farming and forestry industry to gain the skills necessary to broaden their horizons while generating more money in rural areas.

"Increasing the skills base of people in agriculture and forestry is seen as a key factor in ensuring greater diversification, competitiveness and strength of the rural economy and in Mrs Dent's case, she is getting the chance to study a subject she clearly enjoys," she said.

Information on the scheme is available from local Defra rural development offices or on the web site www.defra.gov.uk.