TRADITIONAL countryside skills will be on show as workers go head-to-head in a competition to promote the rural landscape.

Drystone wallers and hedge layers will be demonstrating their skills to the public at the showcase competition, which takes place in Lanchester, County Durham, on November 2.

The competition has been organised by the Tyne Tees Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and the County Durham Hedgerow Partnership - a group set up to tackle the decline in hedgerows and other field boundaries.

Clare Heaps, of sponsors Durham County Council, said: "Encouraging traditional country skills is essential to the continued survival of the county's thousands of miles of hedgerows and drystone walls.

"Hedges now enjoy a degree of protection by law, but the general health of many is declining due to a combination of fac- tors, including excessive trimming.

"Declining hedges can often be reinvigorated by being laid, so competitions such as this do a fantastic job in keeping these skills alive."

There are open, intermediate and novice classes in both sections and the winners will receive cash prizes.

Farmers and landowners in particular are encouraged to attend the event, at Ragpathside Farm, as there will be advice available on grants for field boundary management.

To enter or to find out more information, call Barbara Walton, Tyne Tees FWAG, on (01833) 630880.